Cacao Berry Banana Bliss Balls

Sunday Love Recipe: Cacao Berry Banana Bliss Balls (No-Bake)

This recipe adapts the "bliss ball" method using oats, frozen blueberries, fresh mulberries, raisins, banana, and cacao, with coconut or MCT oil as your healthy fat binder for a calming, soothing, slightly invigorating treat for you and your Loved Ones. Find the general doshic effects below the recipe.

Ingredients

Category	Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Dry/Base	Rolled Oats	2 cups	Can substitute for almonds/hemp hearts.
Sweetener	Raisins	1 cup	Can substitute for dates.
Fruit	Frozen Blueberries	1 cup	Can substitute for frozen raspberries.
Fruit	Fresh Mulberries	1/2 cup	Added for fresh berry flavor.
Binder	Ripe Banana	1 medium	Added for binding and flavor.
Fat/Binder	Coconut Oil (or MCT Oil)	2 tablespoons	Can substitute for nut butter. Melt if using coconut oil.
Flavor	Cacao Powder	1/4 cup	Can substitute for cocoa powder.
Flavor	Sea Salt	1/4 teaspoon	Essential for flavor balance.

Instructions

1. Soften the Raisins (Instead of Dates): Place the raisins in a heatproof cup or bowl. Pour very hot water over the raisins until they are fully covered. Let them sit for 5-10 minutes to soften and become pliable.

2. Process the Dry Base: While the raisins soak, add the rolled oats to a food processor. Pulse for about 1 minute until the oats are broken down into a coarse, flour-like consistency (similar to coarse sand).

3. Add Cacao and Salt: Add the cacao powder and sea salt to the food processor. Pulse for about 10 seconds to blend them into the oats.

4. Add Wet Binders: Drain the water completely from the softened raisins. Add the drained raisins, the ripe banana (broken into a few pieces), and the coconut oil/MCT oil to the food processor.

5. Blend into Dough: Process the mixture until a sticky dough begins to form, about 30-45 seconds. The dough should start to clump around the blade.

6. Incorporate Berries: Add the frozen blueberries and fresh mulberries to the food processor. Pulse until the berries are broken up and the entire mixture is uniformly combined and sticky. Do not over-blend; you want some small berry pieces visible.

7. Form and Chill: Use a tablespoon to scoop and roll the mixture into small energy balls. Place them on a plate or tray lined with parchment paper.

8. Store: Keep the energy bites in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 10-14 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Doshic Effects (Ayurvedic Perspective)

Based on the qualities of the ingredients (Sweet, Heavy, Moist) as they relate to Dr. Lad's guidelines:

Dosha	Effect on Dosha	Primary Ingredients Contributing to Effect	Recommendation for Balance
Vata	Balancing (Nourishing)	Oats, Banana, Raisins, and Coconut Oil are all heavy, sweet, and grounding.	Consume at room temperature (not directly from the fridge/freezer) to counteract the cold quality of the frozen fruit.
Pitta	Neutral (Slightly Increasing)	Cooling effects of Blueberries and Coconut Oil are balanced by the heating quality of Cacao.	Consume in moderation. To cool further, reduce Cacao slightly.
Kapha	Increasing (Aggravating)	The combination is heavy, sweet, and oily (Oats, Banana, Raisins, Coconut Oil), which increases Kapha. Cacao is the most helpful ingredient.	Incorporate Spices (Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger) to add heat and lightness, and help with digestion (Agni).