Gingerbread Energy Balls with Raisins, Dates, and Pecans
These healthy vegan gingerbread energy balls are sweetened naturally with dates and raisins, packed with warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and molasses!
Pour the warm water (1 cup) over the dates (1 cup) and raisins (1/2 cup) in a small bowl. Stir together and allow to sit for 5 minutes minimum, and up to 1 hour.
Remove the dates and raisins using a slotted spoon (reserve the water) to a food processor and add remaining ingredients. Turn on and blend together until the mixture is chopped into very small pieces and it starts clumping together on the side. If necessary, add 2 tablespoons water from soaking the raisins and dates if it doesn't seem to clump together.
Use a small cookie scoop to dish out equal sized balls and roll in your hands. Roll in sugar (or another topping), if desired. Place on a parchment covered baking sheet and refrigerate the sheet for 20 minutes, until balls solidify more.
Transfer energy balls to an airtight container and store in your refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Notes
Make them paleo by subbing the molasses with maple syrup. Make them whole30 or refined sugar free by omitting the molasses altogether.
Make them nut-free by using 3/4 cup of seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin, flax, sesame, and/or chia seeds, instead of pecans.
Money-saving tip: shop the bulk foods section to buy the exact amount of dates and raisins you need, and look for deals on nuts- you can use chopped pecans, or another nut such as almonds or walnuts, if you prefer or they're cheaper!
Time-saving tip: skip soaking the dates and raisins and instead add another tablespoon of plain water if needed.