I love the taste of oranges, and wanted to make an orange flavored snack with a Lara Bar (soft/chewy) kind of texture. I came up with these blood orange coconut balls! They have an orange/vanilla (creamsicle) taste.  I found them sweet and satiating. The kids really enjoyed them as well!

 

Ingredients:

zest and juice from 1 blood orange (finely dice the zest) My boys always ask me to get blood oranges (probably because of the word “blood”). I’m sure any kind of orange would taste great.

1 cup of walnuts (macadamia nuts or cashews would work as well)

3-5 medjool dates (depending on your preference for sweetness)

1 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut, plus extra for rolling the balls in

1 tsp bourbon vanilla

1/2  tsp orange oil (optional-the zest and juice gave a nice orange flavor-the oil intensified the flavor)

1 TBS coconut flour

2 TBS coconut oil

 

Directions:

pulse the walnuts in a food processor for about 30 seconds-add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until it forms one large ball.

roll into small balls (1 1/2 inch-ish)

roll balls in unsweetened shredded coconut

*refrigerate for a firmer texture-store in airtight container in the refrigerator

Enjoy!