Chocolate Covered Pecan Date Balls

Chocolate Covered Pecan Date Balls

These delicious treats may look like candy, and they even taste like candy, but they're actually high protein energy balls, dipped in antioxidant rich dark chocolate.  Made with raw pecans, dates, and a touch of cinnamon and salt, they are a super yummy "dessert" you can enjoy any time of day.  Even without the chocolate coating, they are sweet and satisfying, and so simple to make. I brought them to a super bowl party a few weeks ago (hence the Eagles serving dish), and they were gone before halftime.  Luckily I saved a bunch in my freezer for another day. I've enjoyed them before a workout for an extra energy boost, and after a meal for a little something sweet without filling me up. My parents couldn't believe there was no added sugar in the recipe, and suggested I try adding a little brandy into the next batch, which I might just have to try! 

Strawberry Decadence Bars

Strawberry Decadence Bars

Feel the need for something sweet today?  This recipe uses 100% healthy, natural, powerhouse foods and doesn't even require any baking.  And unlike a lot of "raw", "vegan", "paleo" posts I see circulating around social media, this doesn't have any weird ingredients that you have never heard of before.  Just simple, healthy fruits, nuts, cocoa, maple syrup and coconut.  It only took me about 20 minutes to assemble and they lasted in the freezer for over a week, and after a few minutes thawing on the counter, tasted just as good each time I served them.  Both of my kids loved them and I love the bright pink, all natural, color of the middle layer.  A slightly thicker chocolate layer, might be nice next time so if you want a little more chocolate I would recommend doubling up on the final three ingredients. And you could always use a different fruit or nut depending on what you have in your kitchen or what your family prefers.  And then serve this treat knowing that you are providing a healthy snack disguised as a dessert!

Chocolate No Bake Date Nut Bars

Chocolate No Bake Date Nut Bars

I wish I always had a pan of these in my fridge, but they are so good that they were gone the day after I made them.  So I guess I had better make them more often!  Using mostly raw, healthful ingredients, these chocolate bars are one of my favorite creations ever.  My kids think they are candy, yet I know they are full of nutritious raw nuts and dried fruit and are perfect before or after a good workout, a kids' soccer game or as a late night treat when you just need something sweet but don't want to over indulge.  I actually calculated out the nutrition information for these and was pleasantly surprised at how good the numbers are.  They are high in protein and fiber, low in calories, and although high in fat and sugar, it is the good kind of fat and all the sugar is naturally occurring from the dried dates.  You do need a high powered food processor to make this recipe, but other than that it is as simple as can be and ready to eat in less than an hour.  And they taste way better than any packaged product you could find in a store.