LIMITED TIME OFFER: Free masterclass! Secrets to Balancing your Hormones Naturally Without Extremes
No-Bake Paleo Cocoa Espresso Cake Balls
Taylor Stolt, RDN, LD, CLT, IFNCP • February 24, 2019
Valentines day is over but chocolate cravings are not.
Am I right or am I right?
These No-Bake Paleo Cocoa Espresso Cake Balls are here to help.
For the Love of Chocolate
I love chocolate for many reasons, but here are a few cool health benefits you probably haven’t heard of.
- Up-regulates multiple intracellular signaling pathways involved in T-cell activation and cellular immune response.
- Up-regulates genes involved in neural signaling and sensory processes.
- Modulates brain frequencies 0-40 Hz, specifically beneficial gamma frequency (25-40 Hz).
- Enhances neuroplasticity for behavioral and brain health benefits.
- Improves mitochondrial function (the powerhouse in every cell in your body) by increasing volume, cristae density and protein content.
Just make sure you’re buying chocolate that’s at least 70% cocoa (ideally more) to reap the benefits!
The Recipe
Now let’s get to my paleo chocolate espresso cake ball recipe. Sweetened naturally with dates, lots of fiber to keep you full and satisfied, bursting with antioxidants AND flavor!
It’s the perfect snack with your morning coffee/tea.
Or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Or some preworkout fuel.
Or a healthy treat for movie night.
Or just an excuse for your daily brain-boosting, immune system enhancing dose of chocolate.
Paleo Cocoa Espresso Cake Balls
Servings
8
Ingredients
- 8 pitted dates (should be about 1 cup if you squish them into a measuring cup)
- 1 1/3 cup almond flour (can also sub for oat flour if you don't have almond flour)
- 1/4 cup cacao
- 1 Tbsp espresso powder
- 2 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk
- 4 Tbsp coconut oil (3 Tbsp for "dough" and 1 Tbsp for chocolate coating)
- Dash of sea salt
- 1/2 Theo 85% chocolate bar
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients, except chocolate, in small food processor
- Mold into small balls and set aside.
- Melt chocolate and additional 1 Tbsp coconut oil in saucepan over medium heat.
- Dip cake balls in chocolate.
- Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes until chocolate shell cools and hardens.
Click on an icon below to share this recipe with your chocolate-loving friends!
– Taylor
Continue Reading
Taylor Stolt, Functional Medicine Dietitian and women’s health expert, shares her fifteen favorite healthy restaurants in Austin, plus answers frequently asked questions about how to choose healthy options when eating out.
Taylor Stolt, Functional Medicine Dietitian and women’s health expert, shares her fifteen favorite herbs for hormone balance and how to incorporate them, plus answers frequently asked questions about using herbs to rebalance your hormones.
Pelvic floor specialist Claire Lusignan shares the top seven symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and how to know when it's time to seek support from a professional.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition that affects millions of women in the United States. PCOS results in debilitating symptoms, long term complications, and is one of the most common causes of infertility in the US. Sadly, for many women it takes years to finally get a diagnosis. For the women who do get diagnosed, they usually don’t know where to begin when it comes to addressing their PCOS naturally. I’ve worked with so many women who are just told to go on birth control to “fix” their PCOS. Birth control not only doesn’t fix PCOS - it can actually cause more issues! Although PCOS is a complex disorder, nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes can significantly slow its progression and reduce symptoms. In fact, many of my clients with PCOS have been able to put their PCOS in remission naturally. In this article, we’ll cover: What is PCOS? The role of hormones in PCOS Common signs and symptoms of PCOS Root causes of PCOS How to manage PCOS naturally Dietary and lifestyle changes for PCOS Where to go from here 
Our expert guide to Ashwagandha for PCOS. Learn Registered Dietitian Taylor Stolt's top recommendations for using Ashgawandha as part of a holistic approach to PCOS remission.
Discover the seven ways to improve your gut health and rebalance your hormones, according to a Registered Dietitian, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, and women's health expert.
Fifteen years ago, my digestive issues sparked my interest in gut health. I was amazed that there were thousands of research studies showing connections between our gut and the health of our immune system, our skin, our brain, and more. I was even more amazed that no one was talking about it! Now gut health is a hot topic, and I’m glad. Our gut health is at an all-time low because of antibiotics, processed food, high stress levels, pesticides, antibacterial soaps, and other gut damaging factors that are so prevalent in the modern world. If you’re unsure about your own gut health, start by asking yourself these three important questions.
Our expert guide on the best teas for hormone balance. From lemon balm's stress relieving properties to red clover's menopause relief, learn how this Registered Dietitian's top 10 teas, backed by science and research, can help with a holistic approach to balancing your hormones.
Discover the seven ways your gut health is connected to your hormones. Unravel how gut issues like gut inflammation, imbalanced gut bacteria, and constipation affect hormone balance.
I absolutely love cooking, but baking is something I rarely do. When I do decide to bake my goal is to make something delicious, with simple steps and minimal clean-up. Any time I'm in the kitchen I want it to be as relaxing as possible, especially around the Holidays. I created this pumpkin bar recipe years ago, but I come back to it again and again. You can quickly mix up these healthy pumpkin bars for a Thanksgiving dinner, Friendsgiving gathering, or sweet treat for yourself. But first - Is pumpkin a Fall fad or is it a healthy addition to our Fall recipes? Is pumpkin actually healthy? Here are some pumpkin nutrition highlights: Full of fiber: Fiber keeps you full, stabilizes blood sugars, supports estrogen metabolism, and regulates digestion. Loaded with vitamin A : One cup of pumpkin contains 245% of the daily recommended amount! Vitamin A prevents collagen breakdown (aka less wrinkles), supports thyroid function, increases iron absorption , and enhances the positive effects of vitamin D. Mineral-rich: Pumpkin is a rich source of magnesium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, zinc and iron. These minerals support energy production, promote hormone balance, keep your immune system in tip-top shape, and more. No, It’s not always healthy Yes, pumpkin is healthy. BUT don’t grab a slice of pumpkin bread and assume it’s automatically healthy. A slice of pumpkin bread from Starbucks has 40 grams of sugar.