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Calibrate Recipe

Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Kosher, Metabolic Jumpstart

Active: 20 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Makes 12 bites (2 per serving)

We took the best parts of German chocolate cake—the pecans, the coconut, and the chocolate (of course)—and rolled them up into decadent little bite-sized balls. These energy bites pack all the flavors of the classic dessert, satisfy your sweet tooth, and come together in just 20 minutes with six simple ingredients. Did we mention that they’re vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened, too?

Dates contain a lot of natural sugars, making them the perfect pairing for protein, fiber, and healthy fat-filled pecans, coconut, cacao powder, and almond butter. Toasting the pecans and coconut adds a crispy bite and amps up their nutty flavor. Don’t have time? That’s totally fine too—these chocolatey bites are delicious and filling either way.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup raw pecans (about 4 ounces)
  • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut 
  • ¾ cup pitted dates (about 10 Medjool dates or 18 Deglet Noor dates)
  • 3 tablespoons cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon creamy no-sugar-added nut butter (such as almond, peanut, or cashew)
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

Directions:

  1. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans and coconut and cook, tossing frequently, until the pecans are fragrant and the coconut is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes (take care not to let the mixture burn).
  2. Transfer the toasted pecans and coconut to a food processor fitted with the S blade attachment. Pulse into a fine meal, about 1 minute.
  3. Add the dates, cacao powder, nut butter, vanilla, and salt and pulse until the mixture is broken down and crumbly and no large chunks remain. The mixture should stick together when pressed between two fingers. (If it’s too dry, add more nut butter, 1 teaspoon at a time.)
  4. Scoop out 1½ tablespoonsful into the palm of your hand and squeeze the mixture so it sticks together, then roll into a ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture. You should have around 12 balls.
  5. Serve immediately, or place in the fridge or freezer and serve chilled. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week or in the freezer up to 1 month.

Test Kitchen Tip:
This recipe works best with soft dates. Medjool dates are often the softer and plumper variety since they’re actually fresh, not dried. Deglet Noor dates are smaller and can sometimes be hard or dry. If your dates are dry or stiff, be sure to soften them first (either by soaking them in room temperature water for about 30 minutes, or by adding them to boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes), then drain thoroughly and pat completely dry before adding them to the food processor (you don’t want to add any excess water).