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Gingerbread Man Energy Balls

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Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup, pitted Medjool dates soft, caramel-like, provides sweetness and binding
  • 1 cup Old-fashioned rolled oats structure and fiber
  • 1/2 cup Almond butter healthy fats, protein, creamy base (sub options below)
  • 2 tablespoons Ground flaxseed omega-3s and extra binding
  • 1 tablespoon Molasses classic gingerbread depth and iron
  • 1–2 tablespoons Pure maple syrup or honey adjust sweetness to taste
  • 1–1.5 teaspoons Ground ginger the star spice
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt balances the sweet
  • Mini chocolate chips or raisins optional, 2–3 tablespoons; for “buttons” and smiles
  • Vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon, optional; rounder flavor

Method
 

  1. Prep the dates. If your dates are firm, soak them in warm water for 5–10 minutes, then drain. Soft dates = easier blending + better texture.
  2. Grind the oats. Add oats to a food processor and pulse into a coarse flour. Don't go powder-fine; a little texture keeps these from getting gummy.
  3. Add the flavor squad. Toss in dates, almond butter, flaxseed, molasses, maple/honey, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla. Pulse until the mixture clumps together. It should feel like cookie dough—slightly tacky but not sticky.
  4. Adjust if needed. Too dry? Add 1–2 teaspoons water or an extra drizzle of maple. Too wet? Pulse in 1–2 tablespoons oats.
  5. Chill briefly (optional but helpful). Pop the dough in the fridge for 10 minutes. This makes shaping easier and less sticky on little hands.
  6. Shape the “gingerbread men.” Roll 1–1.5 tablespoon portions into balls. To create the gingerbread man look, flatten slightly, then pinch head/arms/legs by pressing with fingertips or using a small gingerbread cookie cutter as a mold. Keep it fun, not perfect—no snack police here.
  7. Decorate. Press mini chocolate chips or raisins in as “eyes” and “buttons.” FYI: chocolate chips stick best if you nudge them in gently.
  8. Set the shape. Transfer to a parchment-lined tray and chill 20–30 minutes to firm up.
  9. Serve or store. Enjoy immediately, or pack into lunchboxes for a crowd-pleasing win.