Mocha Jolt Bites
You know when you find yourself foraging through the fridge for something to eat, scanning every item but not seeing anything that feels like it will satisfy? Are you really hungry? Or do you just need a little pick-me-up to keep you energized? More often than not, I bet it is the latter.
What kind of foods give us energy? Carbohydrates generally provide quick releasing energy. Fats are processed more slowly so give you longer lasting energy. Caffeine, while not a food, is in it’s own category for it’s magical abilities to get and keep us going. These little bites contain all three of these energizers, packed into only 6 ingredients:
Oats = carb energy
Dates = carb energy
Microground coffee = caffeine kick
Dark chocolate = fats energy
Vanilla = yum
Salt = sodi-yum
These bites are deep dark and chocolatey with lots of delicious, wake you up coffee flavor. Crave worthy and a satisfying 1 or 2 bite snack, these will keep you from aimlessly scouring the fridge. As soon as you remember you have these waiting for you, there’ll be no question what you went in there to find. Enjoy!
Mocha Jolt Bites
Makes 16 bites
1/2 cup (45g) rolled or old fashioned oats
12 medjool dates, pitted and rough chopped or torn into pieces
1 tbs. (7g) microground or instant coffee or espresso
2/3 cup (88g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used 62% cocoa)
1.5 tsp. vanilla extract
3 finger pinch of salt
Place oats in food processor. Blend until mostly floury, about 30 seconds.
Add the dates and pulse until completely broken down.
Add instant coffee, vanilla, and salt. Blend to incorporate.
Put chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Cook in microwave for 20 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until melted. Add to food processor and blend until totally incorporated.
Pack a tablespoon with the mixture to measure out each bite. Press firmly and evenly to create cubes. Place on parchment or plastic lined plate. Cool in fridge to chill through, about an hour.
Store in a covered container in the fridge for best shelf life. These will last a few weeks under refrigeration.
Note: After these are chilled, they get pretty firm. If you like them like that, great. If not, just pop them in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to soften. Instead of forming into cubes, you can also press the ‘dough’ into a parchment or plastic lined container, place in the fridge for ~4 hours to chill, and then cut into little bites when firm.