Sticky Vegan Date Balls

I think many of us like something sweet to eat in our day.

These Sticky Vegan Date Balls are not crazy sweet but are sweet enough.

I buy pitted dates. They can be expensive, so I stock up when they are on sale.

The coconut is unsweetened organic. I found unsweetened coconut difficult to get from supermarkets when I first came to the US. I needed to get it from specialty stores such as Wholefoods. It seems like it is now more widely available. I keep the coconut in the freezer which keeps it fresh. The one that I used is now available from Publix in Florida.

I buy raw almonds without any oil added and dry roast them myself.

Served on my mum's vintage china from the 1950's.

Unsweetened coconut is much nicer in recipes than the sickly sweetened one.

Toasted coconut

Roasted raw almonds

Process until well blended

Press into balls and refrigerate.

Served on my mums vintage china plate from the 1950's.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

• One cup of unsweetened coconut
• Two cups of raw almonds
• One 12oz package of pitted dates

1. Spread the coconut on a baking tray and toast at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on it, as it will burn quickly. I shook the tray around a couple of times during the cooking to get the toasting even.

2. Spread the raw almonds on a tray and bake for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Shake at least once during cooking to get the baking even.

3. Process the ingredients in a blender for a few minutes. Make sure they are evenly broken down. I tipped out the contents and put it back in the blender, and blended again, so everything was evenly chopped and blended.

4. Press into even balls probably about a tablespoon for each one. Keep refrigerated.