Chocolate Caramel Date Balls

1.) To make these balls you’ll need to start out with nine basic ingredients.

2.) Dump everything except the cocoa powder, maple syrup, cereal, and coconut oil into a food processor.

3.) Blend until you get a well mixed doughy texture. It will be a little more wet than something like cookie dough.

4.) Form the dough into small balls, about the size of a teaspoon. Lay them on a lined baking sheet or container, then place them in the freezer while you work on the chocolate coating.

5.) For your chocolate coating, mix the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and rice cereal in a bowl.

6.) Take your balls out of the freezer and dunk them into the chocolate. Make sure the whole ball is coated in chocolate, then place them back onto your baking sheet or container. Stick them back in the freezer.

7.) The chocolate will set very fast in the freezer, so you can eat them almost immediately! Keep the ones you don’t eat in the freezer.

---

Chocolate Caramel Date Balls (Total Time: 15 minutes, Prep Time: 10 minutes, Makes: 16 balls)

As much as I try to be healthy, I can’t ignore my intense sugar cravings. These balls may not qualify as a superfood, but they definitely beat buying some packaged candy and are sweet enough for me! When dates are broken down, they have a very similar flavor to caramel. I found that adding a little bit of vanilla and salt helps bring out that traditional flavor. Of course, I can’t have caramel without chocolate, so a chocolate shell seemed mandatory. I tried these without any cereal in the coating first, and decided they needed something more. The puffed brown rice cereal adds a perfect textural element, and reminds me of a delicious crunch bar. These are super easy, quick, and tasty one bite treats to pop in you mouth and satisfy your cravings.

Ingredients:

For the Balls

1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup oats

7 pitted dates

2 tsp vanilla

A pinch of salt

1/8 cup water

For the Coating

2 tbsp coconut oil

2 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tbsp maple syrup

1/4 cup puffed brown rice cereal

Directions:

1: Start by blending all of the ingredients for the balls (first six ingredients) in the food processor. Blend until you have a fine and moist doughy texture.

2: Roll your dough into teaspoon sized balls and stick on a lined baking sheet/plate/container, then place them in the freezer.

3: In a microwave safe bowl, melt your coconut oil. Once it’s melted, add in your cocoa powder and maple syrup. Whisk these together until you have a smooth mixture, then add in your cereal and mix it in.

4: Take your balls out of the freezer and dunk them in your chocolate mixture. Make sure all sides are coated, then place them back on your baking sheet/container/plate. Place them back into the freezer for five minutes or so.

5: Enjoy! These balls are best stored in the freezer.