I don't know about you, but often if I have an admin day and am sitting at the computer for long periods of time processing orders, ordering deliveries and catching up with emails and customers, I get a bit peckish come 11 o'clock.
And the other day, I was doing a kitchen cupboard clear out and found half used packets of ground almonds, dates and dried apricots all nearing the end of their best by dates. Not wanting to waste them but not wanting to give them further cupboard space I decided to have a play and see what I could come up with, and something that I could snack on! So, after flinging the ingredients into a food processor and adding spices I thought would go well, I came up with these bite size treats, made all the better by adding a few dark chocolate chips.
They are so easy to make and I was surprised at how yummy they taste. Being bite size balls they are also great to have as that mid-morning pick you up with a cup of coffee. Have a go for yourself and see what I mean... This makes approx 15-16 depending on how big you make each one.
Ingredients
- 150g ground almonds
- 150g dates (de-stoned)
- 150g dried apricots
- 1½ tsp orange zest, grated
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground mixed spice
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 50g dark chocolate chips
Method
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In a food processor, pulse together the almonds, dates, apricots, orange zest and spices until you have a chucky paste. Then add the chocolate drops and pulse again until mixed through.
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Wet your hands to prevent the mixture sticking to you and roll it round into a golf ball size.
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Pop into little cake cases.
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Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 weeks or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
You can swap the chocolate chips for nuts of your choice or to make it extra orangy, use Terry's Chocolate Orange chopped up.
I haven't tried, but I imagine you could easily swap the almonds for desiccated coconut if you were trying to avoid nuts.
Please experiment and let me know how you get on, I'd love to see some pictures!