Cashew Date Sesame Energy Balls

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups Dates, pitted ((about 16 – 18 whole dates))
1 1/4 cups raw cashews
1/2 cup pea protein powder (- or preferred protein powder)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 cup sesame seeds (- divided)

DIRECTIONS:

Combine cashews and 1 tablespoon of protein powder in a food processor. The protein powder absorbs the oils released from the nuts when pulsed so you don’t end up with nut butter. Pulse until the cashews are coarsely chopped. Remove 1 cup of chopped cashews and set aside …