Super Easy Cacao + Coconut Balls

 We’re kicking off our first FOOD post for 2016 with a recipe for Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls from Aussie chefs Mark LaBrooy and Darren Robertsons's latest book 'The Blue Ducks' Real Food'.

Having recently returned from a holiday in Australia where it is very easy to eat 'real, whole foods', I’m now craving satisfying healthy snacks I can make at home to beat the 3 o'clock munchies, and pop into my handbag to eat when I'm battling Jakarta's traffic gridlock.

Today's real food treats are raw, full of antioxidants, and delicious chocolatey goodness; require the bare minimum of prep time, and all the ingredients can be sourced in local Jakarta supermarkets and specialty food shops. I must say this recipe was a lot of fun to make. I made a batch for my Bahasa Indonesia class a few weeks ago. I popped them into a recycled glass jar for easy transport; and they were the perfect 'brain fuel' we needed as we launched back into our language studies for the year. Since then, my Bahasa buddies have also batched Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls...sourcing, rolling, adapting and substituting to make the perfect raw, real food snack.

I think you're going to love them too!

Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls

Makes: 20 balls

Ingredients

100 grams dates, pitted
100 grams prunes, pitted
100 grams coconut oil
200 grams desiccated coconut
50 grams chia seeds
50 grams cacao powder
1 tbsp maca powder (optional)
31/2 tbsp cacao nibs
1 tbsp honey

Method

1. Add the dates, prunes and coconut oil to a blender and process until a smooth paste forms.
2. Add the date paste to a large bowl with half the desiccated coconut and the remaining ingredients.
3. Using your hands, mix until the ingredients are well combined and then roll into walnut-sized balls.
4. Roll the balls in the remaining desiccated coconut and refrigerate for approximately one hour to firm up.

Cooks's notes:
* I roughly chopped the dates and prunes before I placed them into the blender.
* The energy ball formula is sticking power + healthy base + extra flavour, so it's easy to substitute ingredients. They could include oats, nut pastes, raw nuts and seeds, dried fruit and sweeteners.
* The Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls will keep up to two weeks in the fridge. Mine never last that long!
* You can also freeze Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls for up to three months.

Cacao + Coconut Energy Ball Ingredients following the energy ball formulae of sticking power (dates, prunes and coconut oil) + healthy base (cacao powder, desiccated coconut, chia seeds, maca powder) + extra flavour (honey and cacao nibs) Exact quantities not shown.

Add the coconut oil to the dates and prunes and blend until a thick paste forms

Into a large bowl add the dry ingredients to the date, prune and coconut oil paste, and prepare to mix with your hands

Prepare to mix and combine the date and prune paste and the remaining dry ingredients. Prepare a tray lined with baking paper and using your hands roll the mixture into walnut sized balls. Roll the balls in the remaining desiccated coconut.

Place the Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls on a tray lined with baking paper and refrigerate until firm

And here you have it...delicious chocolatey goodness!

The perfect treat for when the 3 o'clock munchies hit..

Or for those times you are on the go!

Ingredient Suppliers and Stockists

• Bless Nature's Best - for cacao power, cacao nibs, chia seeds and maca powder

• Burgreens - for chia seeds, nut pastes

• Club Sehat Healthy Grocery Store - for chia seeds and nuts

• Javara Indigenous Indonesia - for local honey, cacao nibs, cashew butter, raw nuts

• Kakoa Chocolate - for cacao nibs

• Kem Chicks - for desiccated coconut, local honey,

• Ranch Market supermarket Indonesia - for chia seeds, local honey

• Titan Baking - for desiccated coconut, chia seeds

Do drop us a line if you make a batch of Cacao + Coconut Energy Balls and enjoyed them. What healthy treats do you turn to when the 3 o'clock munchies hit, or you're stuck in Jakarta traffic?

By the way, Chinese New Year Celebrations begin in Jakarta this weekend, known locally as Imlek. We hope you get a chance to experience some of the customs!

You might also like:

How to make our healthy Green Jakarta Smoothie
Brekkie Time in Jakarta
Why we love fresh and healthy rice paper rolls

Words: Liz McClean Photography a journey bespoke