Today is Day 24 in “DAMY’s 28 Days of Healthy Holiday Recipes!” Here is my twist of the classic Peanut Butter Ball. This was always my favorite Christmas treat growing up.

My Mom would have to fight us from eating them all before Christmas Eve. I wanted to take the old sugar and butter filled recipe and add natural sugars, protein, fiber and real, whole ingredients. I have great news, I succeeded!

These are so good that these are the only 4 that were left to take pictures of due to some guy in this house who fell in love. I guess this is payback from what I used to do to my Mom.

I made this batch with toppings and skewers to show how fun they could be dressed up for Holiday parties. My personal favorite way to have them is plain with no topping and no bamboo skewer. How you decide to make them is up to you. I also included some other great topping ideas!

I hope you make this recipe – it is such a healthy way to enjoy what I believe to be a Holiday treat staple.

Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

(Makes 22)

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups of Dry Roasted Peanuts
• 1 Cup of Pitted Dates
• 3 Scoops of Protein Powder (optional)
• 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
• ¼ Cup Unsweetened Coconut (optional)
• ¼ Cup Ground Flax
• 3 Tbsp Peanut Butter
• ¼ Cup Water
• 2-3 70% Dark Chocolate Bars or Chips (Update – These are perfect dipped in our Coconut Oil Chocolate – found here.)
• Bamboo Skewers (optional)
• Crushed Candy Canes (optional)
• Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (optional)

Directions:

1. Place Dark Chocolate in a double boiler and let melt until completely smooth.
2. Add your two cups of dry roasted peanuts to your food processor and blend until it is peanut flour.
3. Add your 3 scoops protein powder and pulse until blended.
4. Add your unsweetened coconut and ground flax and pulse until blended.
5. Add the vanilla extract, almond butter, dates, and water. Blend until cookie dough texture.
6. Remove the dough from the food processor and place in a bowl. Begin rolling protein balls into 1 inch balls.
7. Place balls on a plate.
8. Using bamboo skewers (or 2 spoons) cover balls with melted chocolate individually.
9. Place chocolate covered balls spaced out on a waxed paper covered plate (or tray for easy removal) and sprinkle with your topping of choice.
10. Place in the freezer for a few hours or over night.
11. Serve straight from the freezer on a Holiday inspired plate.

Tip – if you are making them for yourself to have a treat once a week, once they are frozen divide them up into snack sized ziplock bags – 2 per bag for a pre portion treat/snack!

*Special Note – This dough tends to be quite sticky. Placing these in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before rolling will help. I like to use two metal spoons to do my rolling.

DAMY Members – can have this treat once a week – Serving is 2 cookie dough balls.
 

Other great topping ideas:

• Ground Nuts
• Candied Ginger Pieces
• Shredded Coconut
• Candy Cane Pieces
• Cocoa Powder
• This list goes on! You can also enjoy these with no topping! (my personal favorite)

Here is the “DAMY’s 28 Days of Healthy Holiday Recipes” countdown list so far in case you have missed any:

Day 28 – Egg Nog Almond Joy Blizzard
Day 27 – Skinny Molten Lava Cakes
Day 26 – Phyllo Pastry Cups
Day 25 – Skinny Pecan Pie Tarts

Amy Layne is a Personal Trainer, Holistic Nutritionist and Lifestyle Expert at DAMY Health. She is the creator of the popular DAMY Method Program and world famous Bikini Body Program. To see Amy’s Before and After Photos and DAMY Member Success Stories Click Here.

Connect with Amy on Twitter @damyhealth and on Facebook.