Sesame-Cacao Date Balls
Also known as ladoo (sweet balls in the Hindi language), ojas balls or bliss balls in Ayurveda circles, or energy balls; this easy-to-make, no-bake treat can serve as a nutritious dessert or snack.
Dates, sesame seeds, and almonds all have a sweet, heavy and energizing quality to them, which together is strengthening and can help build ojas. Ojas is Ayurveda’s term for one’s overall vitality, immunity and ability to withstand stress — hence, the nick name, ojas balls.
Organic, raw cacao has a number of health benefits, including being high in anti-oxidants, magnesium and iron. It’s light and drying in quality, but the small amount in this recipe lends the delicious benefits and flavor of raw cacao, without being too aggravating to vata or pitta doshas.
If you’re at all concerned about the stimulating and drying quality of cacao, then leave it out. This recipe is still delicious without it.
Sesame-Cacao Date Balls
[print-me]
Prep Time: 20 min :: Makes about: 20 balls
Ingredients
- 12 Medjool Dates, pitted (other kinds of dates are okay as well)
- 2 tbs tahini
- 1-1/2 tbs almond flour
- 1 tbs raw cacao powder
- 1-2 tsp hot water (optional)
Note: If your dates are hard and dry, soak them in a little hot water for 15-30 minutes. Drain before using. Also note that you can add all ingredients to a food processor to make the prep work easier, however, I often make mine manually simply with a bowl and fork.
Place 12 fresh dates in a medium sized bowl. Mash the dates with a fork to begin to soften them further. Add tahini, almond flour and cacao powder, and mix well with the fork. Add 1-2 teaspoons of warm water if the mixture seems difficult to combine. Continue mixing until you have a thick, but well blended consistency.
Form 1″ balls by using the fork to place about 1/2 tablespoon of the mixture into the palm of your hand. Roll between your hands to form a smooth ball, and place on a sheet of wax or parchment paper
Repeat several times before cleaning your hands to start again. If you leave the residue from the balls on your hands for too long, the other balls you shape will not form smoothly, so again, start with fresh clean hands every three or four balls.
Once all of your date balls are made, decorate by dusting them with cacao powder or rolling them in sesame seeds or even chopped almonds. The sesame-cacao date balls will keep well unrefrigerated for a couple of days or refrigerated for about a week. Enjoy!
VPK=, Ojas Building
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