Mexican Hot Chocolate Date Balls {Vegan, Paleo}

• servings: 34 servings
• active time: 10 minutes
• total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted cashews

11 oz or 15-18 Medjool dates, pitted (double the number if you use smaller deglet or other small varieties)

2 Tbsp cocoa powder

1/4 tsp mild chili powder

1 tsp cinnamon

tiny pinch cayenne pepper ((less than 1/8 tsp))

1 teaspoon instant coffee

5 - 10 prunes (optional)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions

Pulse nuts in a food processor until the pieces are somewhat uniform in size. Some larger chunks may remain.

Add the dates, cocoa powder, and spices and process until most of the mixture is spinning in the processor in one lump.

Pinch off chunks of the mixture and roll into balls.

Notes

Check all the dates for pits and stem ends that didn't get removed.

Better to make smallish balls - about 1/2 tablespoon of mixture.

Optional: 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee

can use 1 teaspoon mexican chocolate spice mix instead of individual spices: https://www.umami.recipes/recipe/mUlnew33yhEY16FB6rcC

Prunes are my addtion - they add complexity, sweetness and softer texture - Beth

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 ball
• Calories: 78 kcal
• Total Fat: 3 g
• Saturated Fat: .9 g
• Sodium: 3 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 7 g
• Dietary Fiber: 4.1 g
• Total Sugars: 1.7 g
• Protein: 2 g