Almond Coconut Bliss Balls

These vegan energy balls are packed full of energy. There are literally unlimited
flavors you can create with these basic recipes. Here I made 2 kinds of balls: one
is made with almonds, dates and coconut, the other is a variation with nut butter
and a snowy white dusting of coconut. One I named “Almond Coconut Bliss
Balls” and the other, “Snow White Bliss Balls.” Enjoy!

Almonds Coconut Bliss Balls (makes about 10 balls)
1⁄2 cup roasted almonds, roughly chopped
1⁄2 cup pitted Medjool dates (about 5 dates), pitted and roughly chopped
1 tablespoon shredded coconut
1⁄2 teaspoon umeboshi vinegar
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Snow White Bliss Balls (makes about 12 balls)
1⁄2 cup roasted almonds, roughly chopped
1⁄2 cup Medjool dates (about 5 dates), pitted and roughly chopped
1⁄4 cup shredded coconut
2 tablespoons almond butter or other nut or seed butter
1⁄2 teaspoon umeboshi vinegar
coconut powder or shredded coconut for dressing up, optional

Making Almond Coconut Bliss Balls:
1. Place almonds in food processor, process until almonds are coarsely fine.
2. Add dates and the rest of ingredients and process until mixture is well blended and moisten enough to stick together to make balls.
3. Place mixture into a mixing bowl. Take out about 1 tablespoon mixture a time, roll into a ball.
4. Keep in refrigerator up to 1 week or in freezer up to 1 month.

Making Snow White Bliss Balls:
1. Place almonds in food processor, process until almonds are coarsely fine.
2. Add dates and the rest of ingredients and process until mixture is well blended and starts to stick together.
3. Place mixture into a mixing bowl. Take out about 1 tablespoon mixture a time, roll into a ball.
4. Dress up the balls by rolling in coconut powder or shredded coconut if desired.
5. Keep in refrigerator up to 1 week or in freezer up to 1 month.

Chef’s note:
You can use other variety of dates, however Medjool dates are the best since they
are much softer and easier to handle. If dates are old or dry, the mixture can come
out a bit dry. If mixture is still dry and not sticky enough to roll into balls, add just
a little water, 1⁄2 teaspoon water at time (You don’t want to make it too moist) and
process more until mixture starts to come together.

Variations:
You can make a variety of energy balls. For example, you can also substitute
peanuts for almonds, and adding a little cocoa powder makes a nice mocha flavor.
If you like to make dried fruits nut balls, try 2 tablespoons dried fruit such as
raisins, blueberries, and apricots and 1⁄3 cup dates (about 4 dates) instead of 1⁄2 cup
dates.