I haven’t really bought into the whole energy ball idea.
For starters, I’m anti-snacking – I’d much rather my family brought a good appetite to their meals.
Secondly, energy balls always seem to contain nuts, which rules them out for school lunches. In any case, they also seem to require storing in the fridge (or what, they melt?)
Thirdly, I’d rather eat the nuts, dates and whatever as they come, without first blitzing them into sticky mush.
That said, these carrot cake bliss balls from the Love and Lemons website intrigued me. They are nut-free, and I had all the ingredients to hand, so I whizzed up a batch.
While they’re pretty tasty, they didn’t make me think “carrot cake” – but maybe calling them “carrot cake bliss balls” set up unrealistic expectations. When my older daughter tried one, the first thing she said was, “These taste like carrot cake!”
So I’m calling mine “carrot and sunflower seed energy balls” – under-promise and over-deliver…;-)
Carrot and sunflower seed energy balls
(makes 16)
- 1 cup raw, hulled sunflower seeds
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 2/3 cup grated carrot
- 1/2 cup soft, pitted dates
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- a pinch of salt
- 1 tsp maple syrup (or more, if needed)
- Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor.
- Pulse until the mixture clumps together, adding a bit more maple syrup if needed.
- Chill the mixture for half an hour, then roll into walnut-sized balls.
Ten More Bites 
Lovely!
You have an excellent writing style!
Thanks for your kind words – appreciate you taking the time to comment…:-)
I’m gonna make these, thanks Andrea!
You’re most welcome!
I made them and they’re really good! Knowing how healthy they were: without sugar, flour, eggs, butter, milk, salt, yeast, roasting or baking, we were both pleasantly surprised by how carrot cake-like yummy they turned out. Thanks again Andrea, well delivered!
I’m glad they worked out and you guys enjoyed them. I thought they improved over the couple of days it took us to eat them. Am making another batch this week 🙂
Andrea, your post (and your thoughts on snacking) made me laugh 🙂
I have the same attitude toward snacking, but I’m also intrigued by these balls.
awesome!!! Going to try it soon.