Annie Clarke's Chocolate Orange Energy Balls

Energy balls are such a fantastic thing to keep in the fridge or freezer, ready for a sugar craving or to give you a little energy boost during the day. These are inspired by the winning flavour combination of chocolate and orange, giving them a zesty and decadent taste.

Ingredients:

• 200g almonds
• 200g Medjool dates, pitted (I like to have a few extra dates to hand in case the mixture isn’t quite sticky enough, as it can vary a little each batch)
• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• 2 tbsp raw cacao powder
• 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions:

• Blend the almonds in a food processor to break them into smaller pieces.
• Add the dates, whizzing for a minute or so.
• Add all the orange zest and 1 tablespoon of the juice to the food processor, along with the raw cacao and the maple syrup, before mixing until evenly distributed.
• Use your hands to roll the mixture in your palms (wetting your hands slightly if necessary) until you have about 16 even-sized balls.
• Place them in the fridge or freezer to set and store.
• They will keep for 1 week in the fridge and for 2 weeks in the freezer.