Dark Chocolate Orange Energy Bars

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When I look at a fruit, I don’t just see something I’m about to devour.

I see certain vitamins and minerals in the color.

I see fiber in the flesh of the fruit.

I also see the skin, which can be zested and used to enhance many recipes.

I loved the taste from these flavor combinations. Reminiscent of my favorite childhood dessert, dark chocolate covered orange peels.

I chose to roll these into a bunch of mini spherical shapes so I could package them up and take them with me as a perfectly portioned snack.

Ingredients:

1 scant cup almonds

1 1/4 packed cup dates

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa/cacao powder

1-2 tsp orange zest

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)

Place all ingredients in a food processor except chocolate chips and blend well. Add in chocolate chips and blend a bit more until a consistency capable of forming and molding is reached.

Mold into whatever shapes you desire. Placing in fridge for a bit makes it easier to form into balls/squares.

Store in an air tight container in the fridge. They should last quite a while.

The flavors get better over time upon storage.

Enjoy.