CRANBERRY AND COCONUT OIL ENERGY BALLS

Home-made vegan energy snack

These little cranberry energy balls are just perfect for giving you that extra boost of energy! As well as being vegan and gluten-free they are also super easy and quick to make. So, when you next fancy a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack, steer away from cakes and sweets and instead opt for a couple of these scrumptious cranberry energy balls. They are made from almonds, cashew nuts, cranberries, dates, coconut oil and a drop of vanilla extract (for vanilla fans).

You will need a good electric mixer or blender to make these energy balls, in order to grind the cashew nuts and almonds to a fine powder. If you find that the ingredients do not bind well together, add a spoon or 2 of water. To form the balls, you will need 2 teaspoons, or if you prefer roll a teaspoon of mixture directly in the palm of your hands.

Ingredients for 12 energy balls

• 40g cashew nuts
• 40g almonds
• 40g cranberry
• 40g date paste
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1/ teaspoon vanilla powder.
• A pinch of salt

Method

1. Place the almonds and cashew nuts in an electric mixer/blender and grind finely (be careful not to grind them so much that they form a paste).
2. Then add the rest of the ingredients and mix until they blend together.
3. Add a little water if necessary.
4. Use teaspoons to make small balls or roll a teaspoon of mixture in the palm of your hands.
5. Leave to cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

These tasty balls are best kept in the fridge and will keep for up to I week (if you don’t eat them before!).