Tiramisu-Inspired Energy Balls

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup pitted dates
• 1/2 cup unsalted, unsweetened cashew butter
• 1/4 cup whole-milk plain yogurt
• 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 oz reduced-fat cream cheese
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder

Instructions

1. Place dates in a heatproof bowl; pour boiling water over to cover. Let stand until soft, about 10 minutes. Drain well.
2. Place the drained dates in a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. Add cashew butter, yogurt, espresso powder, vanilla and salt. Pulse until incorporated. Add oats; pulse until fully combined and incorporated. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
3. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the date mixture onto a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper; with moistened fingers, gently press into a 1½-inch round (about ¼-inch thick). Spoon ¼ teaspoon cream cheese in the center of the round. Carefully pinch the date mixture around the cream cheese to seal; roll into a 1-inch ball. Repeat the process with the remaining date mixture and cream cheese. Refrigerate the balls until no longer sticky, about 30 minutes.
4. Dust the balls with cocoa powder and serve.