I've been making Raw Balls for many years now, but I just made a change to my recipe that took these Raw Balls... to AMAZEBALLS! They now have a new flavor with a protein boost! The vanilla, almond butter flavor is simply heavenly. Everyone needs these balls in their life, trust me. Once you taste them, you'll be telling your friends...
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup pecans (if you want to use walnuts, go for it, I just prefer pecans)
- 1/2 cup pitted unsweetened dates
- 1/2 cup Vanilla Plant Protein (no they are not created equal, so I recommend this one, it's the healthiest and best tasting I've found. Want a sample? Just ask! ...read my 6 Steps to Choosing a Healthy Protein Powder) For the Chocolate version, see below.
- 1/4 cup Grade B maple syrup (if you can't find the healthier Grade B, find the healthiest one you can)
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1/2 cup raw unsalted almond butter
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup whole raw almonds
- 1 - 2 cups raw unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions:
Place the pecans in a food processor (or use a Vitamix) and pulse until coarsely ground. Add the dates and pulse until well combined with the nuts. Add the Vanilla Protein, maple syrup, honey, almond butter, vanilla extract and salt. Process until think and smooth. Add the almonds and pulse. The mixture kind of "balls up" and looks like a brownie mix. Scrape the sides a pulse until well mixed...it'll be sticky so do this a few times. The key is to have some of the almonds in small pieces and some left in large pieces. Even a few whole almonds is fine and will be good for the chunky texture.
Prepare two bowls, one with the mixture and one with the shredded coconut. A shallow bowl works well for the coconut to roll the balls in the coconut to coat them well.
Form into golf-ball size balls by rolling between your palms. Roll the balls in coconut. Place in a container lined with wax paper and freeze until hardened. That way they keep their shape. They'll be too soft until they are chilled. After they are chilled, you can transfer them to a ziplock so they take up less space;) Depending how you like them…eat them straight from the freezer or transfer to the fridge for a little bit softer texture…that's what I like to do;) Even when they're chilled...the texture is still chewy goodness.
Like CHOCOLATE better?.... I've got you covered.
For the Chocolate version....just replace my Vanilla Protein Powder with the Chocolate Protein Powder version.
These can easily be switched to a CHOCOLATE Raw Ball version. I made these in the pic above by using the Plant Based Protein in Chocolate instead of Vanilla, keeping everything else in the recipe the same. I rolled half in coconut and half in the protein powder for a truffle look! Both flavors are AMAZING.
These are so delicious it's just silly!! Your family won't know they're made with healthier ingredients. They're filling too with the added protein. No, they're not meant to be eaten all in one sitting like my husband wishes I'd let him do. LOL. It's the perfect treat. Keeping them in the freezer makes you eat them slower too;) Hint hint.
Makes 15 - 20 balls depending on size. ENJOY. ....in a rush, make them into BARS!! I have;)
Based on my "Healthy Raw Balls" recipe. This one's better;)
P.S. Kids love getting their hands dirty....they LOVE helping to make these....I just love this pic I got from one of my readers!
