This post was sponsored by Sunbutter 

As a Sunbutter ambassador I am so thrilled to bring you a delicious and free-from recipe. My family has been enjoying Sunbutter since my brother and I were kids. The wonderful sweet and salty flavors of this sunflower seed spread are pure bliss, and I’ve learned to cook with it in both sweet and savory applications.  

This month we’re going sweet! Energy balls are so popular and for good reason. They’re quick to make and provide an easy source of protein when you’re in a hurry. Much better than grabbing a cookie or a doughnut to satiate your cravings. Mine will satisfy your sweet tooth too, and have warm and cozy spices that I love to bake with in winter, and a slight hit of salt to balance it all out. The base of the energy ball is made with dates which are sticky and have enough body to bind all the ingredients together. The flavor of Sunbutter really stands out in this recipe, so for addicts like myself it’s an ideal treat!  

Aside from eating these energy bites solo, you can pop a couple on top of your morning oats, or toss them in your lunch container for an afternoon snack.  

Ingredients 
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, plus more for dusting 
1/4 tsp ground ginger 
5 pitted dates 
1 tbsp. candied ginger (if you have it, totally optional) 
1 tsp olive oil 
a pinch of salt 
2 tbsp. maple syrup 
2 tbsp. unsweetened Sunbutter 
1 1/4 cups dried, shredded coconut 

Add all ingredients except the coconut to a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add the coconut and pulse until the mixture comes together like a dough. Pinch off small amounts and roll into balls. Set the balls out on a plate and sprinkle about 2 tbsp of cinnamon over top, then shake the plate to roll the balls through the spice. Stack them up on a plate and serve. They can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge for up to 2 days.  

Tip: wet your fingertips slightly before pinching off pieces of dough to prevent sticking 

Makes 18 - 20 bites