Are you craving a chocolaty, delicious, energizing treat that is healthy and rich with antioxidants? SAMU Manuka got you with this amazing Manuka honey chocolate date balls recipe. Wow yourself, your friends, and your family with this nutritious treat:
Ingredients:
1.5 cup walnuts (or almonds)
1.5 cups of pitted dates (approximately 14-17 dates)
3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2-4 tablespoon Manuka honey (up to your liking)
Instructions:
If the dates are dry, soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften. Drain them well before using.
Place the walnuts (or almonds) in a food processor. Pulse until they are finely ground, but be careful not to over-process them into a paste.
Add the pitted dates to the food processor with the ground nuts. Process until the mixture is well combined and starts to stick together.
Add the cacao powder, vanilla extract, sea salt, and Manuka honey to the mixture. Process again until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture forms a sticky dough.
Scoop out small portions of the mixture (about 1 tablespoon each) and roll them between your hands to form small balls. If the mixture is too sticky, you can slightly dampen your hands to make rolling easier.
Place the date balls on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. Once chilled, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Optional Coatings:
For extra flavor and texture, you can roll the date balls in additional cacao powder, shredded coconut, or finely chopped nuts before chilling.