Energising Cacao Buzz Balls

I love cacao as a superfood, and it’s easy to use in healthy recipes like these cacao buzz balls packed with natural energy-boosting ingredients to give you a sustained afternoon pick-me-up.

I make them regularly for my family, so we can have a healthy snack in the afternoon, not too filling before dinner, full of flavour to satisfy the taste buds and filled with nutritious cacao to soothe yet energise the spirit.

They keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze well too. 

Ingredients:

• 120g pitted dates, soaked

• 40g raw cacao powder

• 40g almond butter or peanut butter

• 30g coconut oil, melted

• 30g rolled oats

• 30g chia seeds

• 10g maca powder

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Pinch of sea salt

• Optional Coatings: 30g finely chopped nuts or seeds, or more cacao powder!

Instructions:

1. Drain the soaked dates and place them in a food processor.

2. Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor and blend until a sticky dough forms. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed.

3. If desired, roll the mixture into small balls and coat them with chopped nuts or seeds.

4. Refrigerate the buzz balls for at least an hour to firm up before serving.

Flavour Variations

1. Peppermint Buzz Balls:

• Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract, or a few drops of organic peppermint essential oil to the base recipe.

• Healing properties: Peppermint is known to aid digestion and concentration, relieve headaches, and it freshens the breath.

2. Orange Buzz Balls:

• Zest one orange and add it to the base recipe. You can also add a squeeze of orange juice for extra flavour or a few drops of organic orange essential oil.

• Healing properties: Oranges are rich in vitamin C, which boosts immunity. Orange essential oil is soothing and assists the digestion of ideas.

3. Rose Buzz Balls:

• Add a teaspoon of rose water to the base recipe. For a more intense flavour, use dried rose petals, whole or powdered to coat the outside of the buzz ball.

• Healing properties: Rose is known for its calming and soothing properties. It can help reduce anxiety and depression and soften the heart in times of grief and heartbreak of any kind - even those of us feeling anxious about climate change.

Instructions to make all 4 flavours

1. Prepare the base recipe as instructed above.

2. Divide the mixture into four equal parts.

3. Add the desired flavourings to each part and mix well.

4. Roll the mixtures into balls and coat with your preferred toppings.

5. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Enjoy your delicious and energising treats!