Well it’s official: the holiday season is officially in full force, and so with it comes cakes, pies, and seemingly endless sweet treats surrounding us left and right. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the “cookie coma” cycle and eventually find yourself tired (literally) of the same old sugar-packed desserts.

When I’m ready to kick off my holiday baking, I start with one of my fave tasty treats—my dark chocolate fudge balls—which not only satisfy my sweet tooth, but also give me the energy to keep on keeping on throughout all the holiday hustle and bustle. Fuel for the body + soul 😊 And the best part? No actual baking required!

Stay tuned for more mind-body friendly recipes for your dessert tray this season. And to learn more about other foods that boost your energy and support your health, visit https://www.natashawellness.com/healthcoaching/.

Now onto the good stuff. Cheers and happy “baking,” my chocolate-loving friends!

Dark Chocolate Fudge Balls

Prep: 10 mins. Makes: 24 bites

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup oats
3 tbsp nut butter
1/4 cup + 1 tbsp raw cacao powder (not cocoa powder)
1 tbsp cocoa nibs
1 tbsp + 1 tbsp unsweetened coconut shreds
20 dates

DIRECTIONS

Grind oats in food processor until it becomes a fine powder
Soak pitted dates in boiling water for a few minutes (cover to speed up process).
Add remaining ingredients (except for extra 1 tbsp of cocoa powder and coconut flakes) and blend until combined, scraping sides a few times
Shape into small balls and roll into the extra coconut flakes and cacao powder. Sometimes it's fun to make a few different sizes. Then you can grab a few little ones or one big one.