Xocolatl Energy Balls!

I made these as a test run for a replacement for lara bars as a quick and easy lunch filler for my husband and OMG were they popular - I'm not sure if I'll have any left to pack in lunches because my husband and my mother were ready to start physically fighting over them! They're way better than lara bars - more like chocolate truffles.

1 C. raw cacao powder
1 C. raw cashews
16 medium pitted dates
1 tsp mesquite powder (I was out of this and used cayenne pepper instead)
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (I omitted this because J is a pansy about spicy things and I was already using cayenne)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp raw vanilla powder or extract (I used extract - I don't know if mine is raw)
1/4 tsp sea salt
3 Tbsp coconut oil, warmed to liquid consistency (You can probably get away with less - original recipe calls for three TEASPOONS but I can't read and used tablespoons. Still, they don't seem super oily and it kinda seems to me like the extra oil helps them hold together, but whatever)
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

• Mix all ingredients except for coconut oil and shredded coconut in a food processor and process for 3 to 5 minutes until chopped to a fine consistency
• Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl.
• Add the melted coconut oil and stir until well combined.
• Form into 1" balls, roll in shredded coconut, and place on wax paper.
• Refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes, then transfer to an airtight container. These will keep for 2 weeks, refrigerated. Makes 24 servings.
  
  108 calories. These are on the carb-heavy side (16 g each) but would make a delicious post workout snack!