I didn’t create these Peppermint Mocha Date Balls because I am obsessed with dates. Although I am.
I didn’t do it to recreate a Starbucks holiday drink in snack form.
I didn’t do it because I haven’t posted a chocolate recipe since October. Or because I’ve never posted a mocha recipe before and it was about time.
I didn’t do it to because snack balls are the easiest thing to make.
And I didn’t do it because I needed something to sprinkle my candy canes on.
I did it because I realized I have a red, green, and white dish and they do the wonky stack so well. And I’ve been dying to do the wonky stack for a while. And the colors are just perfect for this month. And I had to have something to fill that top teacup. And date balls fit the part.
But despite that twisted reasoning, these little date balls rock my snacking socks. Sweet dates. Rich mocha. Chilly peppermint. They are the best sort of grab and nibble bite for your busy pre-holiday days.
The coffee part of the peppermint mocha can come in many forms…
-The classic baking way is espresso or instant coffee powder.
-The easy baking way is coffee flavoring. Frontier is the brand of flavoring that I usually go with since it is all natural (whatever that means) and alcohol-free.
-The protein-rich way is coffee flavored protein powder. I used Garden of Life Plant Protein in the video.
Or if you want to avoid caffeine completely, just skip it. Opt for chocolate peppermint date balls. Still so festive and sweet you won’t even miss it!
Prep Time:
Yield:
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PinIngredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 scoop coffee flavored protein powder OR 1 tsp espresso powder OR 1 tsp coffee flavoring
- 20 pitted medjool dates
- 1 1/2 tsp peppermint flavor
- For coating: cacao nibs or crushed candy canes (TruJoy Sweets makes vegan candy canes)
Instructions
- Process the oats in a food processor until fine.
- Add the rest of the ingredients.
- Process to make a ball.
- Divide and roll into 13-15 balls.
- Roll in cacao nibs or candy canes or whatever you like.
- Refrigerate. Keep in the fridge.
Wooo look at you! Using protein powder and coffee (LOVE frontier’s coffee extract…well love them all…have them all, but the damn maple one since it randomly has soy).
BUT you also did mint chocolate and you say it only “flanks” gingerbread 😉 Well I beg to differ here! I think this proves mint chocolate flanks a rung above gingerbread 😉 BUT maybe we should do a mint chocolate gingerbread thing…would that be too much for the mouth to handle? Idk….we should find out!
OM YUM YUM!
I knew you’d be proud of some of these ingredients, channeling my inner Rebecca here! The maple one has soy?! That’s silly, like soy lecithin?
I think the gingerbread mint chocolate concept is something worth exploring. Chocolate and gingerbread are good together. Chocolate and mint are good together. The only wild card would be the gingerbread + mint combo. Could be good or could explode your mouth with flavor overload. But that’s a risk I’m willing to take 😉
I say we test it out on Santa first 😉
OMG- this is a total dream combination for me! I am drooling…
Keep ’em coming!
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Chocolate and mint are so fantastic together aren’t they! Well chocolate and _______ (fill in the blank with almost anything) makes me happy 🙂
Totally agree… I have to really make an effort not to make chocolate……. everything 🙂
I love the wonky stack!! And these balls of course. <3 Such a perfect little bite!
Hehe thank you Leah. The wonky stack, that’s totally a thing right 😉
These look amazing!
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Thank you Becky! They pack a lot of flavor in tiny spherical size 🙂
Ok, so before I even read the post, I saw the photo and was totally going to comment how much I loved the stack of three bowls! Now I love it even more knowing that it was your inspiration! Absolutely gorgeous and so perfect for the holidays. And these little bites sound so super tempting and addictive. I could probably mindlessly eat the entire batch! Shhh, don’t tell!
Hahaha you read my mind! The wonky stacked bowl thing has been on my photography bucket list for a while not, but once i realized i had the christmas colors it had to happen 🙂 I was totally thinking of your little Sunflower Fig Balls while I was editing these, the multi bowl stack and easy snack balls are just a perfect pairing!
These look so pretty and festive Natalie! Just perfect for Christmas!! I love that you added coffee, that is my favorite flavor to add to chocolate desserts for that extra richness. These look so perfect and moist and chewy! I love to stack my bowls too for photos, particularly with ice cream, lol! These would be perfect for any Christmas party and I love how easy they are!
Oh you better believe it was that 4 Ingredient Chocolate Ice Cream of yours that planted this need to do the bowl stack thing in my head! Hahahaha! That was seriously epic! This is not as epic…but there will be more wonky stack shots to come 🙂 They are too fun!
These look beautiful Natalie!! Great job. Love the flavors, chocolate and peppermint are probably one of my top flavor combos. MMMMM
Thank you Sophia! Oh man I can’t even pick top flavors anymore, holiday flavors are all so good!
This is such a great combination, Natalie! I can’t wait to try them! And the photos look just gorgeous! Especially the one with the red and green mugs! <3
Thank you Sina! It’s always a happy surprise to realize you already have festive Christmasy dishes on hand, I’ve been getting lots of use out of anything and everything red in my cabinets lately 😀
Wow, It’s really look yummy! I will make this for my sun. I know he will love it.
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Ah so sweet, I hope he does!
Bwahaha! I was waiting to see the reason, but totally didn’t expect it to be that. But then again, I totally get it… I do randomly inspired stuff like that too. I love the protein powder stuffing idea too. I actually have some Vega mocha coffee powder that needs to be used, and the dates and mint and everything else might be just the thing to cover up the stevia flavor hiding in there… If only I could get some candy canes now… <3
Haha it doesn’t matter where the inspiration comes from as long as it comes right 😀 I’m trying to talk myself into liking Vega in smoothies since I ran out of Kachava and its cheaper, but right now I can only handle a tiny scoop. However, in bliss balls the funky stevia taste isn’t noticeable yay! Oh and it was a special trip to the health food store just for those vegan candy canes!
Hey Miss. Go on instagram 🙂 I made these tonight and they are DELICIOUS <3 And I couldn't taste the stevia AT ALL.
To take the time to make these in the middle of book launch, you are amazing <3
Natalie, this is one of the best date ball recipes I’ve seen. LOVE the flavors. Pinned!!!
Thanks Linda! Starbucks drinks are definitely a good source of flavor inspiration 🙂
Peppermint, mocha and date!? Just reading the title got me so excited for this recipe! These little treats sound soooo delicious, and they have so many of my favourite flavours. Love how healthy they are! So yummy. Beautiful photos too! <3
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I know right, 3 beautiful words! Thank you for your sweet comment <3
This is a gorgeous recipe. I love the GOL Organic Plant Protein. The coffee flavor rocks, great video too!:)
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Thanks Heather! Aren’t their protein powders great, I like the vanilla one a lot too 🙂
Yes, they’re delish! I have the vanilla freezing right now with some kale, banana, and pumpkin!:) I will seriously have to make these holiday treats to share with my family. They will love these!
I’m always a huge fan of date balls, but add in mocha and peppermint and they sound like the best deal ever!
Thanks Laura! I think every possible flavor needs to be turned into a date ball 🙂