One of my favorite things to give are homemade edible gifts. Cookies, quick breads, candied nuts, I love making them all! Of course the hardest part is not eating them before I give them away.
To help keep my sweet tooth in check yet still fell like I’m treating myself, I’ve been keeping a batch of these Cranberry Vanilla Protein Bites on hand.
Not only is this superfood candy insanely delicious and easy to prepare, it also comes with some surprising health benefits. From vitamins and minerals to plenty of healthy fats that support hormone health and neurotransmitter production, these little delights are the perfect addition to any healthy eating plan.
These candies are – super rich, uber decadent – but secretly healthy and guilt-free! Yup, that means no butter, no white sugar and no sweetened condensed milk… just pure, fudgy, nutty, chocolatey goodness.
Protein/energy balls are a favourite fast no bake snack. They are easily tossed together using a chewy base of nut butter and dates. This combination of cashews and cranberries is exceptionally delicious. Enjoy this recipe as an on-the-go snack, or with a cup of tea at home!
Recipe tips:
Add extra protein. When I need an even more satisfying snack, I’ll mix in some chia seeds, hemp seeds, or flax seeds to the batter.
Swap out the cashew butter. If you are not an cashew butter fan, use peanut or almond butter, which has a similar texture.
Make them nut-free. Swap the almonds for rolled oats and the almond butter for tahini or sunflower seed butter.
Freeze them. If you want to firm up the cranberry balls more quickly, let them chill in the freezer.
Use wet hands. To shape the balls, I like to use wet or lightly oiled hands. I’ve also had luck using my 1-inch cookie scoop.
Fully customizable too – you can add your own extras like nuts, dried fruit, seeds or other flavours to this simple recipe.
Add mix-ins. When I want to impress, I’ll fold in dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or shredded coconut.
Add flavor. I think these bars are flavorful enough as is, but you could 2 tablespoons of orange zest for a little extra flavor boost.
Bite into the vibrant mix of tart dried cranberries and dates, complemented by a hint of vanilla and the wholesome goodness of nut butter and your favorite protein powder.
One of these little squares makes me happy in an instant. It’s soft and chewy and you are going to love this superfood candy. This recipe is a simple and delicious way to incorporate the amazing health benefits of wholefoods into your life, as its bursting with nutrition and good stuff.
Cranberry Vanilla Protein Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds or walnuts
- 1 cup cashew (or any other nut) butter
- 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 2 scoops protein or collagen peptides powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a food processor, add almonds and blend until a crumbly texture remains. Add cashew butter, dates and vanilla and blend well, until fully combined. Lastly add cranberries and pulse a few times so some chunks remain. Be sure to regularly scrape down the sides if necessary to ensure the mixture is fully combined. If the batter is too crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to get things moving.Transfer the mixture into a mixing bowl. Roll into 14 balls 1-2 tablespoons each. Or your preferred size.Place on a lined plate or in a sealable container, and place in the fridge or freezer until firm.Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 1 week. I like to store them in between sheets of parchment paper so they don’t stick together. Freeze leftover energy balls in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let the balls thaw overnight in the fridge.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
