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The tartness of cherries meet the sweetness of chocolate in these healthy and filling Chocolate Cherry Energy Balls. Just grab one on the go for a quick and easy snack recipe anytime of day.Ever since Energy Ball Week I’ve taken a brief hiatus from ball recipes. If you follow me on Snap (TheHealthyMaven) then you know I certainly haven’t stopped making them, but after bombarding you with 12 ball recipes in 7 days, I thought it would be wise to turn it down a notch.
But inevitably, the balls come calling.
I spent the last day at my parent’s house getting some much needed R&R, celebrating Hanukkah and regressing to my childhood self.
Conversations kicked off with my parents reprimanding me for not being even remotely up-to-date on current events (what else is new), a lesson on using Instagram, my Mom declaring she wanted “to tweet” and my dad venting about the sudden disappearance of his beloved Chocolate Cherry Kind Bars. So basically, the usual events at the Maven household.
I felt sufficiently guilty and insisted my Dad sign me up for Google News, gave a brief but thorough tutorial on how to use Instagram (with a bonus Hashtag session –> Dad I’m gonna test you), shutting down either of my parent’s attempts to get a twitter account and solving all my Dad’s issues by insisting he just eat balls.
He then claimed that balls are impossible to find in Toronto (I mean I only worked for a ball company but whatever…), which is somewhat true compared to the current quantity of balls in my fridge, but fortunately I happen to know someone who sort-of, kind-of, just might make energy balls for a living.
Hint: It’s me.
RELATED: Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls
So after the usual ransacking of their kitchen for breakfast food, Costco run with my Mom, United Baker’s lunch, and a dog grooming visit, I set out to make my Dad some balls.
To be clear, the man only likes two flavours when it comes to treats: cherry or chocolate. Ideally, both. So when he asked me to make him some I knew I was only going to be making Chocolate Cherry Energy Balls. But just cause I’m convinced that one day I’ll convert him, I also dipped some of my Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls in chocolate and threw them in there too.
So now there’s officially 4 dozen balls in my parent’s freezer and I can rest easy knowing I am feeding the world healthy snacks, one ball at a time…Starting with my Dad.
PrintChocolate Cherry Energy Balls
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 dozen balls 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add the dates to a food processor and process until broken down into pea-sized bits.
- Add in dried cherries, cashews and almonds and process until broken down into a sticky mix.
- Add in sea salt and vanilla and continue processing until dough either comes together into a large ball or is sticky enough to hold it’s shape (in total will be around 5 minutes of processing).
- Roll dough into individual-sized balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
- Melt chocolate chips in microwave or on stovetop.
- Dip the bottom of each ball into chocolate and place back on parchment.
- Drizzle balls with remaining chocolate.
- Place in freezer for 15 minutes to set.
- I like to store mine in the freezer but you can also store them in the fridge. Will keep for several months.
I use the 14-cup Cuisinart Food Processor and love it!
Like this recipe? Check out some of my other energy ball recipes!
Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls | Gingerbread Energy Balls | Almond Joy Energy Balls
Wow, I am now in awe of my food processor. I’m so glad you said to process for about 5 minutes because at the beginning I was like, this isn’t going to work but then after a few minutes this amazing ball of dough was formed. I actually think it took less than 5 minutes and it looks like mine got processed more than yours because my dough was completely smooth. The balls are so beautiful, like little truffles.
I am new to energy balls and your blog but I will definitely be following now. And the fact that you are in Toronto is a bonus!
This is the cutest story – going home is always a fun adventure.
Also your drizzle skills are off the charts.
LOL I was actually nervous about it cause I totally depend on Jess for her drizzle skills. I just went a little cray and it turned out somehow!
Both my dad and I are addicted to cherries… So these balls would defintiely be our jam!
My parents are coming out to visit us in Australia in 2 weeks time so maybe we can whip some up together! 🙂
That is so sweet and makes me so happy to hear!
Hahaha your parents seem like some really fun people. Thank goodness my mom is not into social media at all, lol. Love the chocolate cherry combo!! Don’t judge me but I have STILL yet to make a single ball…who am I
I’m sure your Dad is one happy camper now! The combo of chocolate and cherry reminds me of black forest cake, aka perfection <3
Black forest cake is SPOT ON. The best cake ever!
I have pretty similar taste buds to my Mom, but she definitely does not have the nut butter obsession and she cannot stand chia seeds and quinoa. HAHA! These look DELISH!
hahahaha so like basically my entire diet LOL. Remind me not to make anything with nut butter, chia seeds and quinoa if she ever comes over for dinner 😉
Ha! Funny times with the parents. I haven’t been able to get my Mom on IG, but I know she would love scrolling through the pictures. These balls sound delish. There is no way my Dad would eat them, but I would! Great recipe! 🙂
yup pretty sure my Mom only follows me so she just scrolls through my stuff haha.
So freaking cute. Saw your youngin’ self on snap. ADORBS. It is funny how little we seem looking back. But I remember feeling so old and adult-like at 17, 18. Now I just actually am old and adult-like :-p
I thought I ruled the world at 17. Thank God I grew out of that phase and discovered I know nothing haha. Glad you enjoyed the snaps!
My dad doesn’t even attempt to use social media! Although I’m sure it would be comical trying to teach him! ?
It was a hilarious discussion!
These look amazing! I cannot wait to give these a try! 😉
hope you enjoy, lovely!