This recipe is yummy and nutritious: yumtritious!

The chocolate flavor comes from cocoa powder (or cacao powder), Two types of nuts are used because each type adds its own nutritious aspects. Sweetness comes from the dates, carob powder, and coconut coating. Extra nutrition and texture come from the sesame seeds and lecithin.

This recipe is my second one for chocolate balls. The other recipe, Chocolate sesame date balls, relies on tahini paste and dates to hold their shape. Yumtritious chocolate balls are based on nuts and dates.

Yumtritious chocolate balls satisfy the sweet tooth and nourish the body at the same time!

Makes 30 chocolate balls, depending on size

Ingredients

1/2 cup walnuts

1/2 cup cashews

1/3 cup cocoa or cacao powder

1 Tbsp carob powder

1 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds

1 tsp lecithin granules

1 packed cup medjool dates, pits removed and cut in halves or quarters, plus 1-4 more dates if the mixture is not sticky enough (halawi dates are also good in this recipe)

Unsweetened shredded coconut

Steps

1. Place walnuts and cashews in a food processor, and process until they are in small pieces, but not ground.
2. Add cocoa powder, carob powder, sesame seeds and lecithin, and process until the mixture looks uniform.
3. Add dates, about 1/3 cup at a time, and process after each addition. Check the mixture after you’ve added the cup of dates. If the mixture isn’t sticky, add 1-4 more dates. You want the mixture to stick together when you roll it between your fingers, but you don’t want to add too many dates which could take over the chocolate flavor.
4. Roll the mixture into balls, and then roll in the shredded coconut.

Notes

• The dates process more easily when they are soft. If you keep the dates in the refrigerator, let them come to room temperature before using them.