Great balls of joy!

I've been at it again, chucking stuff in the blender in the kitchen.

A few years ago, when 'bliss balls' or whatever you want to call them, first made an appearance, I was SO excited to try them.

And when I did it was SUCH a disappointment.  They just didn't taste very nice, nor meet my cravings and I didn't much like the texture.  Ha, not great all round.

I tried a few different ones but still not really doing it for me. 

So I decided to make my own.

I've shared a recipe on here before but I've been fiddling and twiddling and adapting as I go and have an even better version now.

The thing is with these balls, is that once you get the basics, you can pretty much bung in whatever you like...a bit like a salad or a smoothie.

I wanted to get a good balance of taste and nutrients AND get a good protein hit as well.

So here we go, this is the latest round of ball joy for you!

Ingredients:

5 pitted medjool dates

1/2 cup of jumbo rolled oats

1/2 cup of un-anythinged cashews

3 tablespoons maple or agave or similar (I used maple syrup)

2 tablespoons Sweet Freedom chocolate sauce (optional, makes it more sticky and more chocolatey)

2 tablespoons natural crunchy peanut butter

1 scoop chocolate plant protein powder

1/2 scoop flax seed

some raisins...I chucked in what was left of one of those mini kids packets.

Method:

Yup, you guessed it, chuck it all in a mixer and whizz it up until it's mostly broken down but there are still bits.

Then form into balls with your hands...this mix should make about 14...or more, I may have eaten some whilst doing it!

If its too sticky add more dried ingredients (cocoa powder, flax, protein powder), if it's too dry (and just won't stick together in balls) add a splash of water.

Extra pizazz:

If you're feeling very indulgent (I was), you can then coat them in melted dark chocolate.

I actually made my own but melting down any dark chocolate over a bain marie will work.

Then stick in the fridge to set.

Aaaaand attempt not to eat them all in one go!

A quick note on protein powders.

I have tried a lot of plant based protein powders.  A LOT. And mostly they taste like absolute muck.  I have no idea how they get them to taste quite so disgusting, it's a credit to them really.

So I never used to include them in my balls.

But I recently tried the Complete powders by Juice Plus+ and they are so much nicer than any others I've ever tried.  They actually taste nice... not vile, not palatable, NICE! Hurray, I can finally include protein powders in my balls again! 

I have some samples so if you'd like to give it a go, just let me know :) 

Emma x