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One of my favorite holiday cookies to make (and eat!) are gingerbread cookies. But, I don’t always want to spend that much time in the kitchen. Rolling out the dough, cutting out the shapes, or decorating the cookies with frosting can be a lot of work.
That’s why I decided to work on these gingerbread energy balls. They have the flavor of a gingerbread cookie, but with a lot less effort.
The fact that they are 100% fruit-sweetened and naturally gluten-free and dairy-free is just a bonus! You can whip them up in about 15 minutes for a healthy, holiday-inspired treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Medjool Dates. These are the natural sweetener and binder for the date balls. Shop for dates that look soft and squishy, so you won’t have to soak them before getting started. If your dates look hard and dry, you can soak them in boiled water for 10 minutes, then drain to help them blend easier.
- Almond Meal/Flour. You can use blanched almond flour or almond meal (with brown flecks) for this recipe. I chose this option so it would have a neutral flavor, but you could use pecans or walnuts, if you have those on hand, instead.
- Blackstrap Molasses. This is a classic addition to gingerbread cookies, so it helps contribute to the holiday cookie flavor.
- Spices. Ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves help create the gingerbread cookie taste conveniently! Don’t forget a pinch of salt, to help boost the overall flavor.
How to Make Gingerbread Energy Balls
Step 1:
In a large food processor fitted with an “S” blade, add the pitted dates, almond flour, ground flax seeds, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Secure the lid and process for 30 to 60 seconds, just until the mixture looks evenly crumbly.
You can test the mixture by pressing a small amount between your fingers. If it holds its shape when you press on it, it’s ready to roll into balls. Be careful not to over-process the mixture, because it can become greasy and unappealing to work with if you process it for too long.
Step 2:
Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to scoop the mixture and roll it between your hands to form a ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture until you’ve rolled approximately 16 to 18 balls. Place them on a parchment lined plate, then transfer to the fridge to chill.
They will firm up and be less likely to stick together once they are cold.
Serving Tips
Enjoy these gingerbread date balls straight from the fridge for a firm, chewy texture. Or, let them come to room temperature again for serving if you prefer a softer texture.
Optional Topping: Melt some white chocolate (I used a 1/3 cup of mini white chocolate chips) and drizzle it over the top for a “frosting” look. It doesn’t change the flavor much, but it does make them look more like gingerbread if you want to serve these at a party.
Gingerbread Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates , pitted (see notes)
- 1 cup almond flour or meal
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seed
- 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- In a large food processor fitted with an S-blade, add the pitted dates, almond flour, flax seed, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Secure the lid and process for 30 to 60 seconds. As soon as the mixture looks evenly crumbly, and holds its shape when pressed between your fingers, it's ready to work with. Note: Do not over-process the mixture; it can become greasy!
- Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to scoop the dough, then roll it between your hands to form a ball. Place the ball on a plate lined with parchment paper, then repeat the process with the remaining mixture. You should get 16 to 18 balls from this batch.
- Place the balls in the fridge to firm up, about 1 hour. Then transfer them to an airtight container with a lid, to help preserve their flavor. You can enjoy them straight from the fridge, or serve them at room temperature. They can be stored in the fridge for at least 2 weeks, if you don't eat them all before then.
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
If you try these Gingerbread Energy Balls, please leave a comment and star rating below to let me know how you like them.
