Chocolate. This is a food we often love to eat. Most of the time it is consumed as Dark chocolate or milk chocolate. In most cases the kind that is consumed is accompanied with sugar. This is where it becomes questionable for our heatlh. The more sugar added and the more the chocolate is processed, the less nutritional value it has on our bodies. Our family prefers to use cacao powder and nibs in our cooking and baking. Cacao is considered a superfood, antioxidant, and has many benefits to consuming it. So what is the difference between cacao and cocoa? How it is processed. Cacao is the cocoa bean that is unprocessed. It is taken and cold pressed to keep all the enzymes and nutrients. Cocoa powder is the cocoa bean roasted at high temperatures that destorys the enzymes and makes it have a significantly less nutritional value than cacao. Cacao has a slightly more bitter taste than cocoa also. Benefits of Cacao:

It’s an aphrodisiac
Helps to balance mood swings
Thins the blood (similar to asprin) – Study by The Department of Nutrition of the University of California
Helps to prevent premature aging
Creates energy and fights fatigue

These are just some of the reasons we like to use cacao as our main form of chocolate. This recipe is for Brownie Protein Balls. It uses cacao as the chocolate. If you don’t have cacao, cocoa powder is fine too, in this recipe. The brownie bites set up like truffles in consistency and taste. They also make for a great snack on the go or for in between meals. They are loaded with protein and satisfy that craving for chocolate. These are also kid approved and healthy. Enjoy. Click here for the step by step video.

Brownie Protein Balls

This recipe is for Brownie Protein Balls. It uses cacao as the chocolate. If you don't have cacao, cocoa powder is fine too, in this recipe. The brownie bites set up like truffles in consistency and taste. They also make for a great snack on the go or for in between meals. They are loaded with protein and satisfy that craving for chocolate. These are also kid approved and healthy.

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Ingredients

1/2 cup Gluten Free Oats
1/4 cup cacao powder
1/4-1/2 cup pea protein powder You can also use chocolate protein to add to the chocolate flavor.
5 Tbs. brown rice syrup 5 Tbs. = 1/4 cup +1 Tbs.
2 Tbs. Seed butter or nut butter of choice
2 Tbs. non-dairy milk

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth. You may need to add more milk to get the consistency you want. If you add too much milk, it's ok. Just add more protein powder to offset it. The mixture should be able to stick to the spoon upside down.
Using a teaspoon scoop out the mixture and roll into small chocolate balls. Take the brownie ball and roll into cacao powder and place on small baking sheet or paper plate.
Once all the balls are formed, place in freezer for 10-15 minutes and move to the refridgerator for storage up to a week.