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Molasses Spice Energy Bites

May 12, 2015

Molasses Spice Energy Bites

These molasses spice energy bites were inspired by the molasses crinkle cookies my granny use to make. I remember her scolding me for eating the dough balls before she could pop them into the oven. The dough had a lovely sweet spicy flavor and the baked cookies were wonderfully crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

I made the cookies for my children before I became concerned with ingredients like shortening. Yep, Granny’s recipe called for three-quarters cups of the stuff that’s loaded with trans fats. But Granny wasn’t known for healthy cooking. I loved her dearly, but this was the lady who made me sugar and butter sandwiches on white bread. (The sweet gritty butter filling was delicious!)

Energy Bites

The no bake energy bite fad caught my attention on Pinterest. I liked the idea of quick and easy treats that require no baking – especially with warmer weather headed our way. As I began to try some different recipes (GimmeSomeOven.com shares some great combinations) I started to wonder if I could create molasses spice energy bites reminiscent of Granny’s cookies.

Blackstrap Molasses

While it’s best to steer clear of vegetable shortening, blackstrap molasses is a sweetener that actually has some nutritional value. It is a concentrated byproduct left over from the third boiling of sugar syrup during the process of refining sugar cane into table sugar. It is rich in:

  • Manganese
  • Copper
  • Iron
  • Calcium
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin B6
  • Selenium

Blackstrap molasses’ dense nutrient content elevates it to super food status and makes it a popular dietary supplement.

Molasses Spice Energy Bites

In addition to the health benefits that accompany the distinct molasses flavor, these molasses spice energy bites also feature:

  • Dates
  • Oats
  • Walnuts
  • Hemp seeds
  • Chia seeds
  • Flax seeds
  • Ground cinnamon, ginger and cloves

Each of these ingredients is a nutritional powerhouse in it’s own right. So while these energy bites are not low in calories – if you are counting calories – they are well worth the calories from a nutritional perspective.

Easy To Make

Soaked Dates

You’ll want to soak the dates in hot water for about ten minutes before you pulse them in the food processor.

Ingredients

Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until the contents begin to clump – be careful not to over-process.

Molasses Spice Energy Bites

Allow the dough to sit in the fridge for about ten minutes, and then roll into balls about the size of a walnut. I find washing my hands a few times makes the rolling process go more smoothly.

Molasses Spice Energy Bites

Molasses Spice Energy Bites
Print Pin

Molasses Spice Energy Bites

Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 9

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Medjool dates about 8 whole dates, pitted
  • 1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats *
  • 2 Tbsp. unsulphured blackstrap molasses
  • 1/2 cup hemp seeds
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
  • 1 Tbsp. ground flax seeds
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt

Instructions

  • Soak dates in hot water for approximately 10 minutes, drain, and then add to a food processor fitted with the S blade.
  • Pulse the food processor a few times until dates form a chunky paste.
  • Add remaining ingredients and pulse until contents are mixed and begin to clump. (You may need to stop and scrape the sides a few times.)
  • Scrape dough into a bowl and let sit in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.
  • After chilling dough, form into walnut sized balls by scooping dough with a spoon and rolling it between your hands. (You may find it helpful to wash your hands each time you have rolled about 4 balls.)
  • Enjoy immediately or store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.

Notes

*Be sure to use gluten-free oats if you are sensitive to gluten.
Recipe makes about 1 1/2 dozen energy bites.

 Note: I do not include nutrition information with my recipes because I subscribe to the theories presented in the book Whole and believe we should focus on eating a variety of whole foods instead of counting calories or keeping track of individual nutrients.

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Filed Under: Recipes, Snacks & Desserts Tagged With: chia seeds, energy bites, flax seeds, ginger, hemp seeds, oats, raw, walnuts

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chris

    May 13, 2015 at 9:50 am

    Well, brought some to work and my colleague thought they were great. She proclaimed them tasty. A keeper!

    Reply
    • Margaret

      May 13, 2015 at 10:10 am

      Glad she enjoyed them! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Chris

    May 13, 2015 at 11:17 am

    Later in the morning……..
    A total of three molasses spice energy bites and three thumbs-up from three enthusiastic co-workers. Veggie Primer has a winning recipe.

    Reply
  3. Ashy

    July 21, 2016 at 9:26 pm

    Just made but dates are really expensive/ or drop out of stores quick. So I used rains with a little water and tastes amazing! !!

    Reply
    • Margaret

      July 22, 2016 at 6:23 pm

      Hi Ashy – What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Kay L

    November 11, 2017 at 10:18 pm

    Coating your hands in coconut oil makes rolling into balls a breeze.

    Reply

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  1. Quick Easy Snack or Healthy Dessert Hack! | PersonaFIT says:
    January 7, 2016 at 8:48 pm

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Hi! I'm Margaret. I share simple recipes and insights on how to follow a plant-based lifestyle. Read More…

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