Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and with it comes being bombarded by ALL THE SWEETS. I whole heartedly believe in enjoying a sweet treat with your sweetie on the holiday, but you can definitely do it in more healthful way with my naturally sweetened Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites. Not only do these 5 ingredient (plus salt) cookie “dough” balls taste like Chewy Chips Ahoy (YES,) but they’re naturally sweetened with dates!
Here’s the scoop: raw cashews are combined with sticky-sweet Medjool dates, vanilla extract, almond meal, and chocolate chips, then rolled into balls which not only look but taste like raw cookie dough. I mean it’s unreal, and they come together in just 10 minutes! Lincoln’s developed a taste for these “sweet meatballs” and I feel zero guilt about him occasionally eating one vs something that’s loaded with refined sugar. Healthier but still very decadent-tasting. I could not love them more.
How to Make Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
As I mentioned, these cookie dough bites are sweetened and held together with Medjool dates. Medjool dates are super sweet and sticky, and can usually be found in the produce section of the grocery store.
Medjool dates are occasionally sold in the bulk bins but if you’re gluten-free you’ll want to avoid those because of cross contamination issues, plus the dates can become dry and hard in the bins and they need to remain really soft to hold the bites together.
Add 6 Medjool dates to the bowl of a food processor along with 1 cup raw unsalted cashews, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and a pinch of salt, then process until the mixture is smooth and starts to come together into a batter.
The mixture should hold its shape when squeezed, like this!
Dump the mixture into a big bowl then sprinkle in 1/4 cup finely ground almond meal and mix with your hands to combine.
Next add 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips and mix with your hands to combine.
Last step is to roll the mixture into 10 balls then enjoy right away (dare you not to!) or store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Let the bites sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes after being refrigerated to regain that chewy texture that you’re going to flip for!
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Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
Description
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites are naturally sweetened, vegan, and gluten-free. These bites are the perfect cure for a sweet tooth!
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw unsalted cashews
- 6 Medjool dates
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup finely ground almond flour
- 1/2 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
- Add cashews, dates, vanilla, and salt to the bowl of a food processor then process until smooth and mixture just starts to come together into a sticky batter. Pour into a large bowl then sprinkle in almond flour and mix with your hands to combine. If mixture is too sticky, add a little more almond flour. Add chocolate chips then mix until combined. Roll into 10 balls then store in the refrigerator.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I can’t wait for you to try these healthier sweet treats this Valentine’s Day, or any time of the year!
Reid 02.09.2016
These look so good! Can’t wait to make them!
Annie 02.09.2016
These look AMAZING! I can’t wait to try them!
darla 02.09.2016
Yum! I need these in my life for my “horrible sweet tooth after dinner” problem. Also, now I really want some sausages from Minneapolis.
tanya winston 02.09.2016
After just not feeling well for so long we have decided to give gluten free living a try.
Ashley 02.09.2016
These look delicious! Can’t wait to make them!
TK 02.09.2016
Hey I love contests & Kitchen Aid!
Melissa M. 02.08.2016
Love the recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Rita 02.08.2016
Can’t wait to make these cookies
Kesha 02.08.2016
These look amazing. I am making these for my daughter for Valentines Day
Chandice 02.08.2016
These look so amazing!! So fun having you participate in our roundup this time. Hope to meet you soon! :)
Alicia Daleske 02.08.2016
I LOVE impromptu weekend getaways, but unfortunately my husband hates them. He wants to plan ahead of time.
I would love to win the mixer because I had a friend give me a kitchen aide and then she wanted it back so now I don’t have one.
becky g 02.08.2016
Just started trying gluten free. Thanks for making it seem doable. Love these recipes!
Kristin 02.08.2016
Yes, totally doable!! Let me know if I can help you in any way!
Michelle Mc 02.08.2016
Thanks so much for the delicious recipe and for a chance to win!
Kary 02.08.2016
These look awesome!
Deb Tipton 02.08.2016
My son would love, love,love to have this mixer! So hope to win one for him.
Allison 02.08.2016
These look delish!
Danielle 02.08.2016
I love following your blog, your recipes are always a hit in my house!
erin west 02.08.2016
These look fantastic! Can’t wait to try them.
Catherine O'Donnell 02.07.2016
Just tried out this recipe – it’s awesome! A great new treat to add to the lineup.
carol clark 02.07.2016
these look they might be tasty i will try