Makes about 24 balls
One of our favorite activities is picking fruit from our local “u-pick” farm. When cherries are ripe, we always pick lots and lots of them because it’s fun to climb trees and it’s nice and shady picking. We pit them, freeze them, and use them all year long in smoothies and recipes.
These snacks use the cherries we pick and freeze, but you can get yours at the store if you don’t have any from a farm. Cherry Chocolate Balls are a super-yummy cross between a granola bar and cake balls.
INGREDIENTS
• 2/3 C fresh or dried dates, rehydrated
• 1/3 C cocoa powder
• ¼ C honey
• ½ C macadamia nuts
• 1/3 C pecans
• 1 C sliced almonds
• 1 C pitted cherries, thawed from frozen and chopped
INSTRUCTIONS AND HOW KIDS CAN HELP
1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees
2. To rehydrate dried dates, cover with boiling water for 15 minutes, then strain.
3. Add dates, cocoa powder, and honey to food processor and purée; set aside.
4. In a clean food processor, pulse macadamia and pecan nuts into a fine grainy texture, pour mixture into bowl with set-aside wet ingredients.
5. Fold sliced almonds and chopped cherries into batter, mixing thoroughly.
6. Roll out 1½ inch balls and place on greased (or lined) baking sheet.
7. Bake at 275 degrees for 30 minutes.
8. Flip each ball and return to oven for 20–30 minutes until balls are firm.
