Cherry Date-Nut Balls (Vegan)

Submitted by tinamkz

Makes 16 servings

From blog.fatfreevegan.com, courtesy of Susan V. She says they are based on Dr. Fuhrman's Pop-Em's. These balls are full of healthy fats and contain no refined sugar! The only ingredients are dried fruits, raw nuts, and ground flaxseed. As a variation, try different dried fruits! How about apricots? Or even a few pieces of dried pineapple or mango to give it an extra shot of sweetness? Sub in hazelnuts for the almonds, if you'd like. You can also roll the finished balls in small coconut flakes or cocoa powder for an extra-nice finish.

Ingredients

2	oz walnuts
1	oz almonds
1	tbsp. ground flax seeds
70	g dates, pitted
60	g dried cherries

Directions

Grind the nuts in a food processor until they are coarsely chopped. Add the flax seeds, and pulse to incorporate. Add the dates and cherries, and process until everything is completely chopped and combined. Pinch a little of the mixture together to see if it sticks together or falls apart. If it's too sticky, add more nuts. If it won't form a ball, add more dates or cherries.
Form into balls about the width of a quarter. If you want, you can roll them in coconut that has been powdered (as much as possible) in the food processor (not included in nutritionals!). Makes about 16.
You can store these (if you can resist eating them) at room temperature for a couple of days or in the refrigerator for a week or more.