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About an hour from where I live there’s this amazing little café called Pressed. It’s close to where my family lives, and my sister is lucky enough to go there all the time. She enthusiastically suggested that I try their chocolate coconut energy balls, and since chocolate and coconut are a combination that I’ll never turn down, I was easily convinced. Well, I was in love at first bite. Those little delicacies are moist, soft, and taste like delicious little cake bites that are well worth driving an hour to eat. I get them every chance I get.
I came up with this recipe while trying to recreate those heavenly little balls from Pressed. These have more of a fudge-like texture than cake, but the result is equally addictive. They’re effortless to prepare, and are a great addition to your weekly meal prep. Just a few ingredients and a ride around the food processor, and they’re ready to be rolled and refrigerated.
I’ve tried making this recipe in both my Vitamix and my Cuisinart food processor, and my preference is in the food processor. In fact, I find that I prefer the food processor for most date-based recipes. The dates are quite sticky, and I’ve found that they really stick to my Vitamix blade when making recipes without a moistening agent (such as plant based milk or water). If you only have a high powered blender like Vitamix or a Ninja, you can try adding in a few splashes of water or plant based milk to help it blend better. Be sure to only add a little bit at a time so that you don’t make the batter too watery.
I like the energy balls as written in the recipe, but they’re also great with some mini chocolate chips, dried cherries, nuts, or chia seeds mixed in. Just don’t add in too many or they won’t stick together. They keep best when stored in the refrigerator for a few days, or freezer for a few months. I store mine in the refrigerator and take them out up to 30 minutes before I plan on eating them. They’re the perfect post-workout snack; just pop one on the counter, sneak in your 30 minute workout, and you have a snack ready when you’re done. They’re also great for hiking, lunchbox snacks (if you’re not in a nut-free class), traveling, or when you’re craving something sweet. If you’re watching your calories or carb counts, you can make 16 balls instead of 8 to keep the portion size small.
Vegan Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour or about 1 cup almonds ground down to flour
- 1.5 cups medjool dates about 15 dates
- 1.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut more to coat the energy balls
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients in to a food processor or high powered blender.
- Blend on high until everything is combined.
- The mixture should stick together when formed in to a ball. If it doesn't, try adding another date or two until it does.
- Form the mixture in to 8 balls, then roll through them through additional coconut if you'd like.
- Store them in the refrigerator. I take mine out about 10-30 minutes before I'm going to eat them. They'll keep well in the refrigerator for a few days, or in the freezer for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
Notes
Nutrition
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Did you make this Vegan Chocolate Coconut Energy Ball recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @milkfreemom on Instagram and hashtag it #milkfreemom. Don’t forget to pin it for later!
This 7 g protein for the whole lot and not each individual one, correct? They were very delicious!
Hi Julie, the 7g protein is for 1 serving. The recipe makes 8 total servings. So glad you liked them!
Hi Julie, I live in CT., but once a week I work in Newton, Mass. There’s a Pressed Cafe at 300 Needham Street in Newton. Pressed currently has seven locations, three in New Hampshire and three in Mass. A Chelmsford Mass Cafe is “coming soon.” My go to is the Spanish Vegan Burrito and the Detox Juices. I’ve now added the coconut ball as a yummy protein treat. You forgot that rum is added to the recipe. Not certain how much, but it’s not overpowering.
I think you’re right, there may be rum in the ones at Pressed. The ones I’ve made are a different version, but inspired by those delicious treats!