These sweet, chocolatey energy logs have just four ingredients, take minutes to make, and give you a natural energy boost - with no refined sugar, gluten or dairy.
I make mine in a log shape and keep them in the freezer, slicing off pieces as you need/want, them & leaving to come to room temp (if you can wait) and enjoy.
They'll last two weeks in the fridge in an airtight container or 4 months in the freezer, so it's always worth making a bigger batch and stocking up!
A quick word on the ingredients: dates are brilliant for the digestive system, whether you're pre- or post-birth, the oats offer slow-releasing energy to keep you going, and cacao is great for gut health, heart health and hitting the chocolate spot!
A great snack for pregnancy, labour & postpartum: dates have long been recommended in late pregnancy - some research suggests eating them regularly in the weeks before your due date (6-8 dates a day) may help support cervical ripening and a smoother labour. During labour itself, these logs make an ideal snack: small, energy-dense bites you can eat between contractions without needing much appetite or chewing effort, giving you a steady source of fuel when you need it most. And in the postpartum weeks, they're just as useful - something naturally sweet and nourishing you can grab one-handed while feeding, that supports digestion (dates are great for this, especially if things feel sluggish after birth), iron building and gives you a gentle lift without a sugar crash.
Easy to make in advance and stash in the freezer, they're one less thing to think about when you're recovering and looking after a newborn.
Tip:
Use pitted dates. If you want to make life easier on your blender, soak them in water first, then drain before blending.
No blender? No problem. Simply chop the dates as finely as you can (soaking them first will help), then mix with the other ingredients to form a dough by hand. It'll be a bit more "bitty" in texture, but will still taste fantastic.
To Gather:
2 large handfuls of pitted dried dates, or pitted medjool dates
4 tbsp rolled oats (left whole, or blitzed into oat flour)
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp cacao powder
A dash of water, if needed, to loosen
To Do:
- For a smoother log, blitz the oats in a blender to turn them into oat flour. Or skip this step and leave them whole for extra texture.
- Place the dates, cacao and honey in a blender (a NutriBullet works well, or use a bigger blender if making a large batch). Add a dash of water - about 1 tbsp - unless you've already soaked the dates. Blend to a paste.
- In a large bowl, mix the chocolatey date paste with the oats using a wooden spoon, then knead by hand until it forms a shapeable dough.
- Split the dough in half and roll into two logs. Wrap each in baking paper, twisting the ends like a Christmas cracker, then pop into the freezer or fridge.
That's it - a batch of energy logs ready whenever you need a natural pick-me-up.
How To Enhance
This of course a very simple recipe here’s a few ingredients you can add if you want to increase nutrient density whilst also adding supportive botanicals for an extra boost. These ‘extras’ are taken from our unique postpartum focus foods framework.
- Hemp seeds/ Pumpkin Seeds/ Flax Seeds
- Goji Berries
- Ground almonds
- Cinnamon/Ground ginger
- Grass Fed Ghee
- Jaggery
You may find by adding some extra ingredients the texture of the dough will change, simply add a dash more water or honey to bind and keep working the dough. If adding ghee, you may need extra oats. Play, be free, the kitchen is a place to loosen.
0 comments