Cocoa Hemp Heart Bites

For Valentine's Day I wanted to gift you a recipe that is full of only good stuff...because I care for you, silly!  Hemp hearts are one of my new fave ways to add more nutritional value to recipes that I'm experimenting with.  Hemp hearts are shelled hemp seeds, or the "heart" (hence the name!), and the most nutritious part of the seed. 
They contain all 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids our bodies cannot produce!!  Hemp hearts even manage to beat out my favourite Flax seeds as a source of essential fatty acids, and contain more than any other nut or seed oil.  They even contain the rare Omega-6 Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), which helps us have pretty skin & hair, and assists in overall heart health, among other amazing benefits.

If you haven't played with hemp hearts in your recipes yet, give it a go!  They have a very mild, slightly nutty flavour, tender texture, and are versatile enough for both sweet and savory dishes. Try adding some on top of yogurt, stirred into oatmeal, in a salad or burger, or in sweet little treats like these yummy cocoa bites!









Cocoa Hemp Heart Bites

1 cup peanut butter (or alternate nut butter)

10 - 12 pitted dates

1/2 cup flaked or shredded coconut

2 Tablespoons cocoa powder

1/2 cup hemp hearts (I used Manitoba Harvest brand)

1/2 cup rolled oats

Using a food processor or heavy duty blender, blend together the oats, hemp hearts, coconut, and cocoa.  Next add the dates and pulsing until they break down. Add to the mixture the peanut butter, coconut, and pulse until well incorporated.  You should end up with a thick dough.

Roll the dough into small balls (bites!), and place in a well sealing container in the fridge to firm up.

Happy Valentine's Day!