Mince pie balls!
All the flavours of a mince pie in a delicious easy to make energy ball. No pastry, no added sugars, no cooking. These make beautiful presents too. Win, win, win.
About this Recipe
These will store in your fridge easily for 4 - 5 days, or freeze them. These can be made alcohol free by swapping for juice.
I used both dates and prunes for variety - dates are sweeter, yet prunes have more moisture and won't raise blood sugar levels so much.
Ingredients
- 10 dates* and 10 prunes
- 3 tbsp sherry or your favourite festive tipple, or use the juice of the orange
- zest of 1 large orange
- 65g dried cranberries (preferably sweetened in apple juice)
- 65g raisins or sultanas
- 1 tsp your favourite winter spice, I used ground all spice
- a little grated nutmeg
- 100g nuts of your choice - I used macadamia
- 30g raw coconut chips
- 2 tbsp ground almonds + extra for dusting
*plain dates no syrup, no need for medjool dates
Method
- Soak the dried fruit and zest in your chosen liquid, in food processor bowl for up to an hour
- Then add all the other ingredients and whizz up
- You may need to scrape down the sides now and again
- You are looking for the mixture to clump together in 1 big ball. This may take a few minutes. If it doesn't come together add 1 tbsp more liquid
- Then take small balls of mixture and roll out between your hands. You can coat your hands in dried almonds if that helps.
- If you don't have time to roll them, just squish the mix into a dish - to make a bar instead.
Servings:
17
Ready In:
1 hour soaking + 10 mins
Good For:
Festive foods
Health Benefits
Prunes (dried plums) are notorious for being high in fibre (actually they are no higher than dates). Did you know they are also brilliant for anyone looking to balance blood sugar levels, they have a much lower GI than dates. Also full of Vitamins K, A + iron.
Cranberries – Rich in antioxidants, these berries are well known for their ability to help with urinary tract infections due to their natural antibiotic compounds. Research indicates they also have benefits for heart and gut health, reducing the risk of gastric ulcers and stomach cancer. Not just for Christmas!
Dates are a healthier replacement to sugar in baking. Though still high in (natural) sugar, the effect of this is moderated by the fibre contained. Dates are satiating & so can help with weight control. They also contain nutrients like potassium, zinc & selenium which refined sugar does not.
Almonds are a rich source of many nutrients such as Vitamin E, calcium, magnesium. They are also a great healthy fat to eat, as well as fibre and protein. Great for the skin, the heart, the brain, the gut.
