So we all need a treat, and back in the days of the Nuffield Food group the healthy treat was a highlight for many of the members! So here’s a very easy & very tasty one. There are so many energy ball recipes available these days but this one is so simple and you can experiment and add your own flavours to them. They take minutes to make and these ones are a real hit with my kids too, and make a much healthier option to the usual sugar laden treats!

Although the dates are a source of natural sugar, if you are looking for a sweet treat they are a great choice as they are also packed with healthy nutrients.They are a great source of vitamins and minerals including calcium & magnesium & a great source of fibre. They can therefore help  you to maintain healthy bones and might be a good choice when under stress (magnesium is associated with stress control) ,and fibre is always good for a healthy digestive system. The combination of the dates with the protein rich cashews also helps to slow the release of glucose.. Cashews are a great source of minerals but they are also rich in monounsaturated fats which has been associated with lower levels of heart disease, cancer and greater life expectancy! So there you have it; a treat that is both delicious and very nutritious! Enjoy!

Ingredients

100g cashews
100g dates
Pinch of salt (optional)
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp water
1 tbsp crunchy peanut butter (or alternative nut butter of choice)
1 tbsp cacoa powder

Method

Put cashews & dates into food processor & blend until quite smooth

Add coconut oil & water & blend again

Add nut butter & cacoa

Refrigerate briefly then roll into 12-15 balls, refrigerate & enjoy!