Posts

Peanut-Butter Chocolate Energy Balls

These sweets are just as delicious and moreish as chocolate truffles but far less processed and very quick to make. They make a fantastic pick-me-up after a workout, or are delicious with a cuppa as a sweet treat.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dates
1/4 cup pecans
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch salt
1 tbsp maple syrup
Coconut flakes, ground almonds, or crushed pecans for dusting, if desired

Directions:
1. Process all the dates and pecans in food processor until very fine.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients, and process further to combine.
3. Roll into small balls, roll in the coconut/ground almonds/crushed pecans, and refrigerate for 30 minutes for best results (although you should probably eat one while you wait for “research” purposes).

Vegan Jelly Sweets

These vegan jelly sweetsare lower in refined sugar than shop-bought versions (although you can increase the sweetener to taste). These use agar (find in your health store in powder or flake form; it’s derived from red algae) to create the gummy texture.

Ingredients:
1 cup orange, cherry, apple, or berry juice
1/4 cup maple syrup
Pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla essence
3 tbsp agar powder, or 4 tbsp agar flakes

Directions:
1. Add the juice, syrup, salt and vanilla essence to a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer.
2. Add the agar, and simmer 3 minutes, whisking constantly, until dissolved.
3. Pour the agar mixture into a flat baking dish, or into moulds. Chill for 40 minutes, and then release from the dish and cut into shapes, if desired.