I believe that if you’re going to treat yourself, you can nourish yourself at the same time — so this year I’m putting a whole food spin on traditional holiday sweets. These are my kind of treats — the ones you feel really good about indulging in (sometimes I even have them with my morning coffee!). Next time you’re looking for a quick, no-bake, holiday party treat, try my Dark Chocolate Raspberry Energy Bites! They’re a healthier alternative to traditional holiday truffles or rich, chocolate-based desserts. They’re also vegan and free of gluten and refined sugar — perfect for parties where guests have food sensitivities and allergies. You can whip these festive little bites up in just 10 minutes, and keep them on-hand for last-minute guests, holiday gatherings, or all for yourself!
I love having these energy bites in my kitchen — I enjoy them both as a healthy snack, and anytime I need a little something sweet after a meal. Even though they taste decadent, they’re brimming with amazing, nourishing ingredients like nuts, coconut, fresh raspberries and antioxidant-rich cocoa. And, I bet you have most (if not all) of these ingredients in your holiday pantry already!
All you need is a food processor, Vitamix (or similar), or some strong chopping arms to whip these energy bites up in about 10 minutes.
Serve them with some fresh raspberries and holly bauls as garnish for an extra festive touch.
DARK CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY ENERGY BITES
Yield: 2 cups (or approximately 24 bites)
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup macadamia nuts
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup pure whole grain quick oat flakes
• 1 tsp instant coffee
• 4 medjool dates
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp pure Madagascar vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
Directions
1. Wash raspberries and chop medjool dates.
2. Combine all ingredients in a food processor, Vitamix or similar. Pulse until the mixture is mostly smooth and combined.
3. Now, take about 1 tbsp of the mixture and roll it in-between the palms of your hands until a ball is formed.
4. Then, sprinkle some shredded coconut onto a small saucer. Begin rolling bites in the shredded coconut until coated. Then, pick the coconut covered bites up and roll them around in-between the palms of your hands to embed the coconut into the surface.
5. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Store refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks.
- 1/2 cup macadamia nuts
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup pure whole grain quick oat flakes
- 1 tsp instant coffee
- 4 medjool dates
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp pure Madagascar vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
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Wash raspberries and chop medjool dates.
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Combine all ingredients in a food processor, Vitamix or similar. Pulse until the mixture is mostly smooth and combined.
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Now, take about 1 tbsp of the mixture and roll it in-between the palms of your hands until a ball is formed.
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Then, sprinkle some shredded coconut onto a small saucer. Begin rolling bites in the shredded coconut until coated. Then, pick the coconut covered bites up and roll them around in-between the palms of your hands to embed the coconut into the surface.
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Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Store refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks.
What are your favourite healthier holiday treats? I’ve been eating these little guys non-stop, and everyone seems to really enjoy the recipe. If you end up whipping these up, please let me know how you like them! I’d love it if you tag me on social media or use the hashtag #justinecelinarecipes in your recreations. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
This recipe is featured in a guest post that I wrote for the Food Bloggers of Canada about throwing a New Years Eve Party on a budget. If you’re curious about how I pulled the decor for this party together for under $100, head over there to read more!
Thank you to Canoe.com (and many other Canadian newspapers) for featuring this recipe in your Holiday Dessert Advent Calendar, and thank you to Gastropost Calgary for the opportunity.
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored, and contains my genuine thoughts and recommendations. JustineCelina uses affiliate and referral links, which allow me to receive a small commission when you make a purchase through one of my links. Your purchases help to support JustineCelina.com!
30 Comments
Oh my goodness… guess what? I have all the ingredients needed to make this recipe! Well, I know what I’ll be spending my time doing today 🙂 I’ll let you know how it goes, Justine!
Hey Angela! Awesome. Please do let me know how it goes! I’ve been keeping them stocked in our fridge since the week I was testing this recipe. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by — I’m going to head over and check your blog out right now!
Nice combination of flavours. They look so festive, too!
Thanks so much, Teresa! The holly and raspberries were just so perfect to style these photos. Happy holidays!
These are beautiful! I have been looking for vegan desserts for a party tomorrow and these look like the winners!
Hey Dylan — thanks for sweet the comment. They’re so great for holiday parties! If you make them, please let me know how everyone likes the recipe. 🙂
Gorgeous photos Justine! These look extremely delicious and I can see them as a big hit with my family! Nothing beats raspberry and chocolate!!
Thanks so much, Candice! If you do make them for your family, please let me know how the kids like them! I don’t often get the opportunity for children to taste test my recipes. They’re not overly sweet, but they do look like little snowballs. 😉
I love no-bake energy bites as treats. Your photos are stunning and really capture the holiday spirit, minus the junk food. I have a no-bake bar that I love with dates, sunflower seeds and raw cacao – I’m currently obsessed.
Thanks, Sondi! Your no-bake bar sounds so good — do you have a recipe for it? Please drop me a link if you do!
THOSE LOOK AMAZING!! I start to salivate, and then drool on myself. Off to the store to buy some raspberries…
LOL, Holley! Your comment is cracking me up — I am literally laughing and crying. Hahaha. Thanks for the giggle, and I hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it. Have a great weekend!
I need to keep a bag of these in my purse when I’m running errands! Lately I’m finding myself starving and I end up buying junk to get my through the day. Oh, and your photos are beautiful 🙂
That’s exactly what they’re good for! Sometimes I take them with me in a freezer bag when I’m on the run all day. Oh, that reminds me — they also freeze really well! 🙂
Beautiful photos! And a delish-sounding recipe. I am absolutely in favour of healthier holiday treats. It makes January much easier :-).
Thanks, Sarah! It totally does, right? Have a great weekend!
These are such a great idea, Justine! I find that I’m craving sweets more and more often lately, and it’s easy to forget that instead of consuming oh, say, a giant slice of cake to fulfill that craving, that something much smaller and healthier can achieve the same results! My waistline thanks you for this delectable inspiration! 🙂
Hey Alanna – thanks! I’m a fan of keeping little treats like these around so I never feel deprived when I want something sweet (although sometimes that giant slice of cake is a good idea, too)! And the recipe is totally customizable once you have the nut / sweetener / extras ratio right. I’m actually working on a few other variations right now. Happy holidays!
Holy cow! These look amazing! I love making these types of snacks and I can’t believe I’ve never used macadamia nuts before!
Your pictures are so beautiful, I really loved your holiday styling. Great site!
Thanks so much, Brittany! I experimented a lot with the nut blend for these bites, and found that the macadamias added a nice richness combined with the cocoa and raspberries. If you try them, please report back! 🙂
A. totally amazing and delicious recipe that I would make.
B. totally gorgeous photos as usual.
C. I am in love with the photo of you holding this little morsel of goodness in your palm. This is one of the most beautiful, cosy, wintery, homey photo I have seen this season!!!
Hey Julia — thanks so much! I thought the photo of me holding the bite worked to give people an idea of the size of them. 🙂 Glad you liked the recipe, and thanks for the social media love, as well!
[…] These Dark Chocolate Raspberry Energy Bites provide the taste and appeal of chocolate truffles, but are a healthy option for the “dieters” with a sweet tooth. […]
After the Oatbox post, I am looking around your site and everything is simply stunning. You are one talented girl! I know I can cook but that is probably where it ends for me….ha! Anyway, I am going to make these in the week for my friends that like to eat light. Plus, I am trying a little harder these past few weeks myself 🙂 They look absolutely delicious!
Hey Julia — thanks so much! You’re so sweet. These little bites were a hit around Christmas, I had lots of great feedback from readers that made them. It’s been awhile since I’ve made them myself but they always go fast in our house! Please report back after you make them, I’d love to know how you like them. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
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[…] Dark Chocolate Raspberry Energy Bites […]
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