Measure out 1/2 cup almonds and pulse them in a high-speed blender or in a food processor until it resembles a coarse flour or small chunks. I used a food processor.

Pit 12 Medjool dates and add to food processor or blender. Add 2 heaping tbsp. of cocoa or cacao powder, 1/2 tsp. vanilla and 1 tbsp. raw honey (if using) and blend together until sticky.  If the dates are a bit older they will be a little dry and so you made need to add 2-3 more to make the mixture stick together. The same rule applies if some are a bit small. Add one at a time until the mixture sticks together properly. 

Take about a tbsp. of the mixture and roll into a ball, placing it on a parchment paper covered plate or cookie sheet. (I prefer Cookina parchment paper since it is reusable).  Keep rolling until all of the mixture is used. No need to make them perfectly uniform or in neat little rows, as they aren't being baked! Just roll and put them on the sheet with a little bit of space between each one. 

Freeze for 1 hour and then store in fridge for up to a week. Great as a quick snack or after workout boost- it can survive out of the fridge for a few hours so travels in a bag well. 

Optional: If you want to jazz up your energy balls, you can roll them in shredded coconut before freezing OR you can roll them in unsweetened peanut butter after freezing and then top with chopped nuts, such as walnuts.