Raw Trail Mix Energy Cookies

Not that everyone couldn’t use a little more energy most days (besides my kids, of course!), I have to say I really needed these this last week.  With less than a week till my due date, I think I need to make another batch!

I honestly haven’t been purposely avoiding the blog and I apologize for the lack of posts.  It’s just that nesting has taken over and putting food in the freezer and keeping the house somewhat tidy has taken over everything else.  I can’t guarantee you’ll see much of me after baby gets here, but I do have a few posts waiting, almost ready to go, so I shouldn’t disappear for too long 🙂

I always kind of look at any recipe with “energy” in the title and think “hah, of course it’ll give me energy.  I’ll be energized for 10 minutes and then want to take a nap” which is what anything with too much sugar makes me do, especially lately.  But these really are little bites of energy, and not the type that makes you want to nap 10 minutes later.  One cookies isn’t exactly filling because I made them fairly small, but it’s satisfying and will keep you going for a while.

If you like raw fruit and nut treats, like Larabars or other homemade varieties, you’ll love these.  I realized why I haven’t been feeling like making my regular dried fruit/nut treats and it’s texture.  As much as I love them, I need some change, and all the seeds and different dried fruits in these are exactly what I was looking for.

For something baked, try this amazing looking Homemade Coconut Trail Mix.

For the of sake simplicity, you could press the whole mixture into a loaf pan(or maybe 2 for thinner bars) and then pop it out and slice into bars.  Just be sure to pack them really well and maybe line the pan with wax or parchment paper so it’s easy to pull out after it’s packed.

So I’ve been talking like these make an awesome granola bar type replacement.  Which they totally do, but I just thought I should clarify, that does not mean that these don’t make an awesome dessert.  They’re like the perfect sweetness, chewy, dense, almost fudgy.  So yes, they make an awesome dessert.

And for the record, there will be some in my hospital bag 😀

 

[print_this]

Raw Trail Mix Energy Cookies

Makes about 20 2-3 bite cookies

• 1/2 C raw almonds
• 1/4 C coconut
• 1 C packed medjool dates
• 1/4 C unsweetened cocoa
• pinch sea salt
• dash vanilla
• 1/4 C cacao nibs
• 1/2 C pepitas
• 1/2 C dried cherries, roughly chopped
• 1/2 C dried cranberries
• 1/2 C raw sunflower seeds

In a food processor grind up the almonds and coconut until no big pieces remain, pour out into a bowl or container.  Place the dates in the food processor and process until well chopped and sticking together like a dough.  Add the almond/coconut mixture back in, along with the cocoa powder, salt and vanilla.  Process again for no more than 2-3 minutes or just until the “dough” sticks together.  If it doesn’t stick together, stop the food processor and pinch a bit of the dough between your fingers.  If it sticks together, it’s done.  Remove from the food processor into a bowl.

Add in the cacao nibs and all the seeds and dried fruit.  Mix together well.  You may need to use your hands to knead the add-ins into the dough.  Once thoroughly mixed, either press the mixture into a loaf pan very firmly and slice into bars or take a large spoonful at a time and press into a ball or cookie shape with your hands.  Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the freezer for a longer period of time.

[/print_this]