Hazelnut Cacao Balls

   After our break away the pantry was bare of all its usual homemade snacks so, with two hungry kids at my feet I had to work quickly to create something yummy and satisfying for them.  I was under pressure but thankfully I had stocked up on hazelnut meal before we left so i was confident I could create something tasty out of that and here is what I came up with - tasty little morsels that didn't really last very long but did fill the little holes in those two growing boys tummies.  For a little while anyway. 

Hazelnut Cacao Balls

Makes approximately 16 

5 fresh dates, seeds removed and roughly chopped 

1 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup desiccated coconut

1 cup hazelnut meal

1/3 cup almond butter

1/4 cup maple syrup

2 T cacao nibs

pinch of sea salt

Place the fresh dates and desiccated coconut  into the bowl of a food processor and pulse a couple of times

Then add the remaining ingredients and pulse until the mixture comes together 

Using a spoon roll approximately 3/4 tbs amount of mixture into small balls

Repeat with the remaining mixture before placing in the fridge to firm up