I can't believe how cold it is here in Riyadh. Now I'm no chicken, I'm used to Midwest freezing winters. Well arguably, I remember cursing the cold, the weather, the state, and probably everything that was in front of me. You can take the girl out of the desert, but you can't take the desert out of the girl? Eh. I don't know.

(I hear some guy drifting outside of my window.. Gotta love Saudi Arabia's youth.)

Saudi is one of the biggest date producers in the world. I grew up eating dates almost every day and constantly being told that they're good for you. It's like I believe in dates now. I know, that makes no sense.

One of my favorite snacks of all times is sukkari dates with some crunchy, salted peanut butter. SO good. I remember in the Sates, I used to have friends over and I'd bring out some sukkari dates with a mini bowl of peanut butter, it blows their mindddss!

To make that combination even better, I decided to upgrade it to bliss balls and combine them with more delicious ingredients. The end result is the best bliss balls I've ever made yet. So satisfying and will keep you so full, you'll be surprised.

These are perfect as a snack on the go, camping, or for a special treat. Especially with some Arabic coffee. Yum yum.

The glaze, oh the glaze. It takes bliss balls to a whole new level. It is inspired/based by Lee Tighlman, her blog is hands down, one of my favorite. I simply added some cacao powder and used coconut butter instead.

Glazed Peanut Butter Bliss Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup almonds (I sprouted my own) or soaked in water for +8 hrs
• 1 cup sunflower kernels or walnuts soaked +4 hrs or pecans +6 hrs
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (I used Trader Joe's flax seed and chia peanut butter)
• +9 pitted sukkari dates (1 cup packed)
• 1-4 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
• dash of sea salt optional

Toppings:

• sesame seeds
• coconut flakes
• cacao nibs

Glaze:

• 2 tbsp coconut butter melted
• 2 tbsp coconut oil melted
• 1-2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp cacao powder
• a hint of sea salt
• pure vanilla extract. Optional

Directions:

1. in a food processor, combine all the dry ingredients and process then add the dates, maple syrup, and peanut butter
2. Process until it forms a sticky dough. If it doesn't add a little tiny bit of maple syrup. But be patient, it takes a few minutes for it to processes. Depends on the peanut butter you're using.
3. Place each topping you're using on a plate
4. Form the dough into balls and roll on your toppings
5. Freeze while you prepare the glaze
6. In a very small saucepan, melt your coconut butter and oil then add the maple syrup, salt, and cacao powder, and mix well
7. With a soup spoon, dip your bliss balls and turn them around until coated
8. Spread on a non-stick surface or parchment paper to set
9. Keep in the freezer for two hours or so then you can store it in the fridge or the freezer.