Get the sweet pecan-y goodness with out all the extra sugar with these Pecan Pie Almond Butter Balls.

Hey buddies! I’m back today with more almond butter goodies. They’re comin’ at ya in the form of BALLZ. Pecan Pie Balls to be exact.

First I want to preface this by declaring my love for pie. As one of those gals who was born with a mouth full of sweet teeth dessert has always been my favorite part of most holiday gathering. Not to mention, my mom is a pie wizard. Rhubarb, apple, peach she’s the queen.

However, I never quite found a taste for pecan pie. I love pie, I love pecans, so it doesn’t make sense. All I can think is that the sweetness is a little overpowering.

So instead, I wanted to lighten up this holiday classic and make a healthy sweet appetizer for pecan pie lovers and skeptics alike. These balls are perfect for snacking on during the morning as you prep your holiday feast. I know, I’m personally a bit of a cranky cook if I haven’t eaten before hand.

These little pie balls are also great for a sweet little appetizer before your main meal. Savory appetizers are great, but we shouldn’t forget about ap-pie-tizers … too far? Oh well. I went there. #BringOnthePiePuns

These babies are made with only a handful of simple healthy ingredients and no refined sugar. I used Barney Butter’s Honey Flax Almond Butter which has quickly become one of my favorite almond butters. Yup. You heard that right. One of my favs.

Barney Butter is made with blanched almonds which gives it a creamy texture and milder taste. I like to say it’s the perfect gateway nut butter for any PB lovers on the fence. It’s also made in a peanut free facility so it’s great for anyone with a peanut allergy.

I first tried this flavor when I spotted it at HomeGoods. I love wandering through HomeGoods because I feel like anything I find feels like I hunted for it. So basically I’m a forager… a nut butter forager. The Honey Flax is just a touch sweet with flax seeds that add a nice texture to the creamy almond butter. I love using this flavor for baking and recipes.

For my other Barney Butter recipe check out: Warm Winter Kale Salad with Almond Butter Dressing

One of the best parts about energy ball recipes is that you can make ‘em in big batches and have them not just for Thanksgiving snacking but for leftovers, because everyone knows that Thanksgiving leftovers are epic, even the snacks.

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Your Turn:

• What’s your favorite kind of pie?
• Thanksgiving meal: Do you savor the turkey or look forward to dessert?

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