Fudge Babies (or Gluten Free Rum Balls)

Fudge babies - these are mostly walnuts, dates, and chocolate. I just learned I like dates...
With a small variation, you can make them as gluten free rum balls.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/3 cups pitted dates (220 g) (SunMaid dates, or other soft ones)
• 1 cup walnuts (120 g)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or rum)
• 3-4 tbsp cocoa powder
• optional: 1/8 plus 1/16 tsp salt 
• optional: mini chocolate chips 
• optional for rolling: cocoa, powdered sugar, shredded coconut, melted chocolate, etc.
• optional: extra rum, to moisten and make them 'rum balls'

Instructions:

1. Dice the dates bu pulsing a couple of times in a food processor. 
2. Add in walnuts (sprinkle in salt if using), pulse a few more times
3. Add in cocoa powder and vanilla (or rum), pulse a few more times
4. Roll into little balls, using a small cookie scoop to help start the balls
5. Optional - Roll in cocoa, powdered sugar, shredded coconut, melted chocolate, …
6. Optional - After balls are formed, sprinkle on additional rum to form rum balls

Carole's Notes:

I think this makes about 18 to 20 balls. I rolled some of the in powdered sugar.
You can also use this for a chocolate pie crust - I'd suggest making at least 1.5 times the recipe for a pie crust.
The recipe is lightly adapted from http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2009/10/13/make-these-now/