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BETTER-THAN-CHRISTMAS-CAKE PROTEIN BALLS

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Christmas cake seems to be one of those things that people either love or hate.  To be honest, I have never been much of a fan, although my husband can easily devour a loaf in a matter of days!  This no-bake recipe delivers some of the great warm spices and flavours of Christmas cake — but as healthy, portable and super tasty bites!

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Better-Than-Christmas-Cake Bliss Balls are grain and refined sugar-free.  They are naturally sweetened with Medjool dates, which are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre.  These satisfying little beauties are also packed with protein, healthy fats including omega 3s, and disease-fighting antioxidants.  This kinda holiday treat is just what the doctor ordered!

Ingredients for approximately 12 to 15 bliss balls:

THIS BATCH USED ALMONDS, CASHEWS, WALNUTS, HAZELNUTS, COLLAGEN PEPTIDES (INSTEAD OF VEGAN PROTEIN) AND DRIED UNSWEETENED CRANBERRIES.

THIS BATCH USED ALMONDS, CASHEWS, WALNUTS, HAZELNUTS, COLLAGEN PEPTIDES (INSTEAD OF VEGAN PROTEIN) AND DRIED UNSWEETENED CRANBERRIES.

  • 1 1/2 cups mixed nuts (suggest raw almonds, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts)

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut

  • 1/4 cup Further Food collagen (nonvegan) or Nuzest Clean Lean Just Natural protein powder

  • 2 Tbsp gluten-free flaxseed meal

  • 1 tsp ground Ceylon cinnamon

  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice

  • 1/4 tsp sea salt

  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves

  • 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (10 to 12 dates)

  • 1 Tbsp avocado oil, MCT oil, or melted coconut oil

  • 1 tsp orange zest and juice from 1/2 orange

  • 1/4 tsp pure almond extract

  • optional 1/2 cup diced dried fruit of choice, preferably unsweetened*

*Note:  My family and recipe testers enjoy these bliss balls with unsweetened dried cherries or cranberries.  Other good options include dried pineapple, mango, raisins or currants, or chopped nuts, seeds, or cacao nibs.  

Directions:

THIS BATCH USED ALMONDS, CASHEWS AND WALNUTS, NATURAL PROTEIN POWDER, AND DRIED CHERRIES.

THIS BATCH USED ALMONDS, CASHEWS AND WALNUTS, NATURAL PROTEIN POWDER, AND DRIED CHERRIES.

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spread nuts on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and toast for approximately 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool.

  2. Put nuts, coconut, protein/collagen, flaxseed meal, and spices in a food processor or blender container and grind together.

  3. Add the dates, MCT oil, orange juice, zest and almond extract.  Pulse a few times then blend together, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom with a spatula as needed.

  4. Add dried fruit and stir in or pulse-blend to mix but maintain texture.

  5. Scrape sticky mixture onto a plate or parchment paper and roll into balls.

Enjoy as is, refrigerate until firm, or freeze for a quick snack later.  Better-Than-Christmas-Cake Bliss Balls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a week or in the freezer for up to a month.

Better-Than-Christmas-Cake Bliss Balls made with dried apricots, mango, strawberries, and golden raisins.

Better-Than-Christmas-Cake Bliss Balls made with dried apricots, mango, strawberries, and golden raisins.


This recipe was first published on December 20, 2017. It was modified December 4, 2018 and November 2019.