written by Lauren Curl-Ferrell on November 22, 2021.
There's Something About Gingerbread That Puts Me In The Holiday Mood
The smell. The taste. The coloring. For me - anything gingerbread is a sign that the holiday's are coming.
I've been on this healthy treat kick for a few months now. For me, I can't help but over indulge during the holiday season. I adore all the foods, drinks, and desserts that come with the winter months. I'm also aboard a "get healthier" train so this years treats and recipes are all coming from a healthier stand point.
If there's a way that I can enjoy my favorite holiday treats but the healthier versions of them - I'm going to do it.
And that’s where these gingerbread protein energy balls come into play.
What The Health?
By using ingredients like dates, NB Pure's Plant Powered Protein Powder, and simple natural ingredients, an original gingerbread cookie recipe can go from sugar packed, to nutrient packed.
It has almond flour, dates, blackstrap molasses, and lots of other seasonings and spices. All can be found at your local grocery store. But my favorite healthy part of this recipe? Well that’s the protein powder.
NB Pure's x Earthy Andy's Plant Powered Protein isn't like the other protein powders out there. It helps with digestion, it adds a simple cake flavoring to the recipe, and helps keep you fuller longer.
So this treat goes from something tasty to something nutritious. This protein powder has Pre and Probiotics built into it, Digestive Enzymes that help with nutrient absorption, and Chia seeds for added fiber and antioxidants. It's a win.
Quick And Easy
As with all my other protein ball recipes - I like to keep it simple and easy. This one has 4 main ingredients and only 7 added spices that you probably already have in your spice rack.
Almond Flour
Almond flour contains lots of nutrients and vitamins, including vitamin E, magnesium, and fiber. Almond flour is gluten free, making it a popular alternative to wheat flour in
Dates
They are high in several nutrients, fiber and antioxidants, all of which may provide health benefits ranging from improved digestion to a reduced risk of disease.
Blackstrap Molasses
Many people use blackstrap molasses in place of refined sugars for health reasons. They're lower on the glycemic index than conventional sweeteners, which means they won't spike your blood sugar as much. This makes blackstrap molasses a great alternative for people working to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Plant Powered Protein Powder
NB Pure stands behind it’s commitment to adding Nothing But Pure, all-natural ingredients. Sourced and processed in a safe and environmentally friendly way in North America. Each serving of Plant Powered Protein contains:
- 20g of Complete North American Pea Protein
- 5g of Carbs with only 2g of sugar
- 2g of dietary fiber
- 2g of fat with 0g of saturated fat
- 200mg of Prebiotic, Probiotic, and Digestive Enzyme blend
The Step By Step Guide
This recipe is only a three step process.
The first step involved putting the ingredients list below into a food processor.
You'll add 1 1/2 cups of almond flour, the dates, blackstrap molasses, Plant Powered Protein, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, nutmeg, ground cloves, salt, and water into it.
Process until the recipe is dough like.
Then roll your dough into some small balls. I like to roll mine so that they're about the size of a quarter.
Once rolled, toss them into a mix of almond flour, cinnamon, and flour.
You can eat them right away. I like to chill mine for about 30 minutes before eating, but that’s just me!
Storing
Once these are made, you can store them for up to a week in the refrigerator and 6 months in a freezer. As long as you're storing in an air tight container!
The Recipe Breakdown
You can find these ingredients at a grocery store or online.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 8 pitted dates
- 2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses
- 1/4 cup NB Pure x Earthy Andy Tahitian Vanilla Plant Powered Protein
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoons of water
Coating:
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients (except for coating ingredients) in a food processor and blend on high until it forms into a ball and is smooth throughout.
- In a small bowl combine coating ingredients.
- Scoop dough into balls about 2 tablespoons big (or however large or small you like them).
- Roll them in the coating mixture and shake off excess. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet or plate and place in the refrigerator or freezer to harden. Enjoy!
