This recipe came about as I needed a snack that was nut-free and all of my date ball recipes contain nuts. I love carrot cake so I thought why not create a healthy snack based on these flavours.
Carrots are a fantastic source of beta carotene. Beta carotene is converted into Vitamin A which has many fantastic benefits to eye health hence the saying that eating carrots help you see in the dark!
Vitamin A acts as a antioxidant to cell damage, some studies suggest that it can slow down the ageing of cells whilst protecting the skin from sun damage.
This recipe is quick and easy to make, for a gluten-free version simply replace the oats with gluten-free oats.
Ingredients:
Makes 30 (depending on size)
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 2 tbsp apple sauce (1 small apple, stewed)
- 4 dried apricots
- 1 heaped tbsp date paste or 50g Medjool dates
- 1tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100g jumbo oats (or gluten-free oats)
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp mixed spice
- The juice of 1 orange
Method:
- In a food blender, blitz the dates and apricot until they are chopped.
- Add the remaining ingredients and blitz until well combined
- Roll the dough into small balls and place in an airtight container
- Store in the fridge, or they can be frozen.