These gooey, chewy, cranberry chocolate energy balls are your next pre-workout energy boost, or the answer to your late night sweet tooth craving.
BALLS!
Okay, there. It’s out of my system.
Seriously, if you know me, you knew that was coming and was absolutely mandatory.
Anyway, I was first introduced to the world of energy balls a few years ago when I entered the [other] world of Instagram and #mealprepmonday. I started seeing everybody sharing their giant batches of bites for the week, so I made some for myself like…once. Now, I make them all the time. I use them as snacks, or as dessert if I’m craving something sweet after dinner (I say that like it’s not every single night). I’ve always made them with a combination of nut butter, sometimes oats, protein powder, honey, flax seed meal, and any other toppings or flavor enhancers I find. A few times I’d made them using dates, but sort of fell off that train for some unknown reason.
This past weekend, my best bloggy bud, Georgie of In It 4 the Long Run, flew down from Bahhhston (Boston, get it).
Emoji pillows are this generations Beanie Babies. You heard it here first, folks. Also, that photo is irrelevant but I felt the need to share it.
We laughed, we cried (not really), we blogged, and we made balls. Georgie re-introduced me to the ballin’ world of balls made with dates, and so, since we, of course, ate the whole batch we made in two days, I had to make some for myself after she left.
Cranberry is the quintessential holiday season fruit and flavor, so I decided to be cliche and throw it in some balls. This is the easiest, most flavorful, chewiest and sweetest energy ball recipe I’ve made! Oh, and it will take you at most, ten minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted cashews
- 10 medjool dates
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add cashews to a food processor and grind until a flour-like consistency is formed.
- Break the dates up with your hands and add them into the food processor. Process until a dough is formed.
- Add in the cranberries and chocolate chips. Pulse the processor a few times, making sure not to completely grind the toppings.
- Place a paper towel into a bowl, and put the dough on top. Wrap the paper towel around the ball of dough and squeeze the excess oil out. Prepare to be moisturized.
- Using a small ice cream scoop, scoop out each ball and use your hands to form. Place in an air-tight container and into the refrigerator. Or, eat the whole batch. Whatever.
SO CHEWY.
Pin it for later!
If we’re not friends on social media, ‘SUP WITH THAT? Let’s connect, yo!
YUMMY!!!! Please send me some all the way 30 miles out to sea…LOL!
She Rocks Fitness recently posted…Kafta Lebanese Beef Kebabs
Ha talk about isolation! I bet it is so peaceful. Making another batch for ya ;D
Meeting blogging freinds in real life is the true benefit to what we do. Sure, there are opportunities and careers that you can make out of it, for me, the greatest benefit are the people that populate my life!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Update: Dealing with Spinal Injury
I agree 100%. I am so grateful to have met so many inspiring, intelligent and driven individuals <3
I’m always dancing the fine line of professionalism and dad jokes (you know, something about these chocolate energy balls in my mouth). In an attempt to be professional, I’ll stick with: these look so so delicious and just what the doctor ordered for the perfect go-to snack!
Bahaha please look up the skit on Jimmy Fallon where they read peoples tweets with ‘#stopitdad’ – so funny
I’ll take a batch! Cranberries are so holiday-ish….LOVE.
Emily @ My Healthyish Life recently posted…Simplify Your Smoothie
Sending your way!!! We’ll have to make some together when you get back!
YAY BALLS! I’ve got one coming tomorrow 😉 These pics are phenomenal holy shit balls.
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen recently posted…Vegan Sweet Potato Black Bean Pumpkin Chili
Can’t wait to see your balls!! (kehehehee)
Sweet Balls! You’re onto something. This is like the holidays wrapped into one ball. LOVE it!
Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…Cranberry Orange Holiday Mocktail
Thanks Pragati!! We are both on the cranberry bandwagon (your mocktail looks so amazing)
YUM! I’m all over cranberry anything right now.. Love that these only have 4 ingredients!
Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple recently posted…The Clean Eating Couple Takes on Italy – Part 2
For me, the less ingredients the better haha! Cranberry is my home slice.
First off, you girls are stinking adorable!
Second off, these look so dang good! I love quick snacks like these. In fact, totally pinning these to make later!
Kat recently posted…WIAW 11.18.15
Hehe thanks Kat! Me too. I tend to reach for snacks like this as opposed to carrot or celery sticks (oh well!) so it’s easy for me to make a batch and keep in the fridge!
Looks like we both had a thang fo balllzzz this week! YUMMM! These look delicious! I’m adding this recipe to my meal prep next weekend!
Natalie @ A Fit Philosophy recently posted…Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Ok seriously you’re like the 4th person today I’ve seen share balls!!! The planets have aligned!!!
Everyone’s hitting me with the cranberry recipes today and I’m just like <33333 These look perfect for my 8 hour road trip coming up….
Emilie @ Emilie Eats recently posted…Maple Curry Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash and Apples
BAM cranberry lol Ohhhh lord 8 hours, where ya going?!
my daily night snack always consists of nut butter, oats and chocolate in some form too! I haven’t made energy balls with dates yet, but you bet imma be making them with dates next time because these look fantastic and that combo of cranberry and chocolate is perfection. Pinned
rachel at athletic avocado recently posted…Coconut Pumpkin Breakfast Bars {Paleo, Vegan + GF}
It seriously is so chewy and like eating candy. SO GUUUUUUUUDD. Thanks rachel <3
Daaaaang I wish I could’ve met up with you guys. Love you guys. Inspiring innovator ladies!
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life recently posted…baking with fit body bakery + giveaway!
These look heavenly!!
Sara@ Oats & Rows recently posted…Currently: November
I love the simplicity of this recipe. Great for snacking on-the-go
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…4 Ways to Have a Balanced Thanksgiving
I love me an easy recipe ;D thanks Jess!
YESSS, these look amazing. Medjool dates are my absolute fave, so of course I was instantly hooked. Then the combo of cashews and chocolate and CRANBERRY?! So good. On my to-do list for this weekend! Thank you
Alexandra @ Made to Glow recently posted…Cocoa Caramel Bars & the BEST Holiday Dessert Cookbook
I love cranberries! Combined with chocolate?! Eh hem, yes please. Love these and love your photography!
Chrissa – Physical Kitchness recently posted…Why Tea? An In-Depth Look at the Health Benefits of Tea
I’m so jealous – I want to hang out with you guys!!!!! My pouting aside, these sound bomb. Ball jokes and eating energy balls never get old.
Les @ The Balanced Berry recently posted…Cookie Dough for One (Gluten Free + Vegan)
We want everyone to hang out!!! We might make it happen soon ;D You’re right about that #balls
Cranberries and chocolate are such a popular combo these days- I’m seeing it everywhere! You’re so smart to put them into energy balls, they look so good! Your visit with Georgie looked like a blast, I’m so excited to see what the future holds for you two!
Margaret @ youngandrungry recently posted…Crock Pot Taco Soup
These look just like homemade lara bars! I think these would be perfect for a long run energy snack (minus the chocolate
).
Kellen recently posted…Savory Oats
Totally late on the commenting train but BAAAALLLLS (or am I saying bowls?)
This flavor should totally be a seasonal larabar flavor. jusss sayin’
Georgie recently posted…The Perfect Gift Guide for Healthy Foodies & Blogger BFF’s
HAHAHA booooaaaawllls? lmao