Raw Holiday Bliss Bites<dataavatar hidden data-avatar-url=https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9edcf8614fe64a5e7244b5bdbb82a041?s=96&d=mm&r=g></dataavatar>
Raw Holiday Bliss Bites 2 ways
As I have become more mindful of how I eat I find myself not very interested in the standard holiday treats. Does this mean I am old?! Seriously, I am not even craving all the things I used to. Don’t roll your eyes, I do have weaknesses! But give me a satisfying, slightly sweet energy ball type treat, those are what I find hard to put down. Luckily they are all things good, and they refuel you after a workout, through the holiday shopping frenzy or satisfy and comfort with a cozy afternoon tea. Natural, raw, protein filled nourishing and filling. And isn’t it nice to see such simple, natural ingredients?
So I decided to play around with ingredients and flavours. This is what I came up with, two variations on my usual energy balls. This is what I am serving, gifting (and snacking on) over the holidays.
I am usually a chocolate girl, but these Gingerbread bites are delightful. Especially with the added optional crystalized ginger.
Raw Gingerbread Bites
- 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup almond butter or sunflower butter for nut free
- 1/2 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut (split in two ¼ batches)
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 cup fine chopped crystallized ginger*(optional)
Put the oats, seeds, spices and half of the coconut in the food processor and mill them up a bit. Add the seed or nut butter, the syrup and molasses and chopped ginger (if you are using) and process to form dough like ball. Set aside 30-60 minutes for flavours to further amalgamate and enrich. Next role in bite sized balls, roll in coconut if desired.
Note: When I am making energy balls and raw bites like these I find it isn’t a science. Sometimes you just have to play with the dough a bit to get the right texture. This time my dough was just slightly dry and I added 1-2 tbsp of warm water. The opposite has occurred, sometimes it is too sticky and I add a little more oats.
*This is the one source of refined sugar in these treats. If you want to eliminate refined sugar omit the candied ginger, or grate in a little fresh ginger instead. Yum.
And now for the chocolate fix. I’ve been using pure peppermint oil in our hot cocoa, so I decided it would work well in an energy style ball too. Was I ever right!
Raw Chocolate Peppermint Bites
- 1 cup almonds
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
- 1 3/4 cups medjool dates (soaked in hot water, pitted and chopped)
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup cacao powder (depending how chocolatey you like it!)
- 3 tablespoons softened or melted coconut oil
- 5-6 drops pure Peppermint essential oil
- 1/3 c unsweetened coconut (optional)
Combine chopped dates, seeds and almonds in a food processor. Grind a minute or so. Add cacao, coconut oil and peppermint essential oil. Keep pulsing until a soft doughy texture or ball forms. About 2 or 3 minutes. Roll dough into bite-size balls and if you want to make it look even more Christmassy roll in the shredded coconut. I love them plain too.
Put both of these in an airtight container (but not together) and keep in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze.