CoCo Orb Balls

Yum! Deliciously dense and nutritious snacking treats.

This recipe makes about 24 balls; more if you make small walnut sized appetizers.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups sunflower seeds
• 1 cup dried apricots
• 1 cup dates
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 oats (rolled or quick)
• 1 - 3 Tbsp protein powder (your choice; if none on hand add extra cocoa powder)
• 1/2 - 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup almond butter
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/ tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• few dashes cloves

Method:

Cut up dried apricots and dates and place in a bowl. Add sunflower seeds, coconut, oats, protein powder, and half the maple syrup. Combine, and place half of the mixture in a food processor and blend until as fine as possible. Transfer to a very large bowl and repeat with the remaining mixture; transfer to bowl.

Add all remaining ingredients and combine thoroughly. It's most effective if you get in there with your hands and really mix and squish it around. When completely mixed into a dense dough, lick off your hands before washing - you do want to know what this stuff tastes like, right?

Form into balls of your choice of size and roll in shredded coconut. If the balls are too dry to pick up the coconut shavings, roll the balls in a small amount of maple syrup first.

Place in fridge to firm up.

Recipe by: Trudel on her birthday (Oct.22); inspired by 'Capers' CoCo Orb Balls