Fudge Babies

We’ve always been an outdoor family, hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, camping, and hunting.  We’ve tried to do it all.  Since moving to Virginia we’ve also added backpacking to the list of family adventures.  Our son Patrick took us backpacking on the Appalachian Trail (AT) for my 50th birthday.  I think it was one of those in your face – I don’t want to be (or feel) 50 adventures.  I had the time of my life and told him I need another trip for my next birthday. 

Patrick and I camping and backpacking on the AT.  Yup I’m the shorty!

I think I’ve mentioned before that I love the outdoors and love adventures.  Our son has carried on that passion with his wonderful, adorable girlfriend Callie.  They asked if we would like to go hiking with them because they’re in training for the next trip on the AT coming up later this month.  They’re taking her dog Peyton and he needed to try out his new doggy backpack!

Patrick, Callie & Peyton trying out his new backpack.

So when they told me how they planned to spend the Memorial Day weekend, I said “Oh let me make you some hiking snacks!”  I’ve been trying a few different recipes but knew this would be something they’d like.  If you like Larabar’s you’ll like these.  Many bloggers claim the original Fudge Babies recipe and honestly I don’t know who invented it.  But when your primary ingredients are dates, nuts and cocoa, I bet many people have created something similar to the chocolate Larabar.  I found this recipe on Elena’s Pantry and thought it sounded great so this is the one I made!

I started out with walnuts, cocoa, sea salt, vanilla and whole pitted dates.

Put it all in the food processor and pulse.

This is where you can add any ingredients you like.  I added more dates until I had a good consistency for rolling. 

I rolled a few in unsweetened coconut and really like ’em.  The more dates you add, the sweeter the fudge baby will be. 

I think these will be good backpacking snacks.  Who cares if they get smashed a little, they’ll still taste good.

I’ll post one more snack tomorrow.  Remember you don’t have to go backpacking to make these.  They would be good in a lunchbox at work, at your kids ball game or swim meet.  Dates provide good healthy energy and chocolate is … well chocolate is awesome!  Go fudge babies 🙂

(recipe by Elana @ Elena’s Pantry)

1 1/2 cups Medjool dates, pits removed

1 cup walnuts

3 tablespoons cocoa

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth.  Roll into little balls and roll some in unsweetened coconut if desired.  That’s it!  So easy.

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Thanks for stopping by!