Espresso Brownie Energy Bites

These fudgey little bites of decadent brownie from Plays Well with Butter are completely vegan, made from great-for-you ingredients and filled with the flavor of our rich Instant Espresso Powder. This is a super delicious healthy, easy snack!

INGREDIENTS

• 10-12 large medjool dates, pitted
• 1 cup roasted, unsalted almonds
• ½ cup roasted, unsalted cashews
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons DeLallo Instant Espresso Coffee Powder
• ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
• ½ cup walnuts
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• for dusting: 3 tablespoons cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon DeLallo Instant Espresso Coffee Powder

DIRECTIONS

1. Soak the dates: Add the pitted dates to a small bowl and cover with hot water. Set aside to soak for 5-10 minutes, until the dates are softened & pliable. Drain off the water, reserving for later use, and set aside.
2. Make the energy balls: Add the soaked dates, almonds, cashews, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and salt to a food processor. Pulse to combine, breaking down the dates, almonds, cashews a relatively smooth mixture. Pulse in some of the spent soaked date water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to help the mixture smooth out & reach the desired consistency - the mixture should bind together pretty well when pressed. Add in the walnuts and chocolate chips, pulsing to break them down slightly.
3. Roll out the energy balls: Roll the mixture out into 2 tablespoon sized balls. Dust with extra cocoa powder and espresso powder, as desired. Yields 24.
4. NOTES:
5. Storage: These bites will keep, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 2 weeks.