Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (8-10) dates, soaked in hot water until soft (about 1 hour)

• 1/2 cup raw cashews

• 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds

• 1/4 cup goji berries

• 1/4 cup salted sunflower seeds

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 2 tablespoons hemp hearts

• 4 tablespoons cacao

• 2 tablespoons maca powder

• 2 tablespoons water from dates

• 4 tablespoons JOI nutbase or almond butter

directions

1. Pick through softened dates to check for pits and pit fragments.

2. Process dates with the 2T date water in a food processor until they turn into almost a paste, scraping down the sides as you go.

3. Add cashews, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, goji berries, pulse to mix. If you’re using unsalted sunflower seeds, add a couple of pinches of salt.

4. Add all other ingredients and blend until everything is incorporated. Scrape the bowl as you go.

5. Portion into 1 tablespoon bites and roll between oiled hands. Option to roll in additional cacao powder or unsweetened coconut flakes.

6. Store in fridge for up to 2 weeks or in freezer for 3 months (let thaw a bit before eating frozen bites).

I designed this recipe to be flexible so use whatever nuts, seeds and dried fruits you have on hand. Hemp is for a little bit of vegan protein, the dates and nut butter make everything stick together and cacao and maca are for taste and energy.