Last-Minute Nut Balls

These awesome nut and fruit balls are healthy, delicious and easy to make.  Just a whirl of the ingredients in the food processor and you have these addictive morsels to serve and savor. If you need an additional option for a dessert for your thanksgiving this is it.  

The combination of the dried fruits chosen gives just the right sweetness to the balls while the nuts give them added texture and goodness.  The lemon juice and zest give them a refreshing spunk. Enjoy them with your tea or coffee or even milk or wine or just plain good old water.  Anything. These balls rock.

Last-Minute Nut Balls   

(Adapted from the Curves Magazine)

• 1  cup dried apricots
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup dessicated coconut (I used sweetened)
• 3/4 cup toasted walnut pieces
• 2 tbsps lemon juice
• 3/4 tsp lemon zest
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Chocolate chips if you are coating some (optional)

1. Combine all ingredients except sugar and chocolate chips (if using for coating) in a food processor and mix at 10-second intervals until it becomes one cohesive mass.

2.  Form the fruit mixture into large marble-size balls, then roll in sugar.

Note:

You can coat some of the balls in chocolate for variety using melted chocolate chips. The balls are awesome as is though.

If you want to save on calories skip rolling the ball in sugar.