Cookie Dough Energy Bites

Makes 14 cookies

1 cup raw cashews
1/4 cup hemp seeds (or more cashews)
1 cup medjool dates
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1. Buzz up cashews and hemp seeds in the food processor until you get a fine meal.  Add dates, salt and vanilla extract and process until you get a “dough” that sticks together.  Remove dough into bowl and mix in chocolate chips.

2. Take a tablespoon-sized amount and roll into a ball and press flat into a cookie shape. Repeat with the rest of the dough and chill for at least 2 hours.  Serve cold.

Raw Brownie Bites with Hemp

Makes 25 mini brownies

These raw brownies are really just fruit and nut bars where dates and walnuts are pulverized in the food processor and cocoa powder is added to give them that chocolatey goodness.  These could also be shaped into little balls and then rolled in hemp seeds to look like truffles.  Either method is great to make with kids since eating the batter is strongly encouraged and hands are the preferred tool for mixing.  You can eat them immediately, but they greatly improve in flavor and texture after an hour or two chilling in the fridge.

1 1/2 cups walnuts
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons hemp seeds, divided
1 1/2 cups pitted Medjool dates (about 15 dates)
1/2 cup cocoa powder or raw cacao powder
pinch of sea salt

1. In the food processor, pulse walnuts and 1/4 cup hemp seeds until finely ground, but not smooth. Add dates, cocoa/cacao powder and sea salt and blend until the dates are pulverized and a crumbly mixture forms.

2. Remove from food processor and press into a ball. Press mixture evenly into an 8 x 8 glass baking dish, using the bottom of a measuring cup to make the top smooth. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds on top and lightly press down. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours to let the brownies firm up. Cut into small squares and store in the fridge.