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!
Celia at Chicago Jogger 02.01.2016
Um, yes please! I love sweet treats that are naturally sweetened with dates. I haven’t tried adding almond flour before, but what a great idea!
Holly Kalsbeek 02.01.2016
So exciting!! I just got married and this is the one thing I did not get and wanted so badly!
Caitlin Cress 02.01.2016
I’m wrapping up the Whole 30, so I love this idea as a way to gently reintroduce “sweets” into my diet <3
Melissa 02.01.2016
Yum, these look incredible and a Kitchen Aid Mixer is the ultimate kitchen tool! I’d love to have one!
Sarah 02.01.2016
Looksa mazing! Can’t wait to try
Brenda 02.01.2016
Great Giveaway!!Thanks:)
Kayla 02.01.2016
1. These look amazing – I love anything chocolate-y!!
2. I would love love love a kitchenaid – fingers crossed!
Brenda 02.01.2016
Would love the kitchen aide!! Love following you and your recipes!!Keep them coming:)
Jen A 02.01.2016
Awesome giveaway!
Christine 02.01.2016
Great giveaway, thanks! I would love to win a mixer, it’s the one kitchen gadget I’ve been holding out on because of the price.
Rosie T 02.01.2016
Love that Kitchen Aid!
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Diane. Anewchapter-diane.blogspot.com 02.01.2016
I have been reading your blog for years, and your recipes are among my favorites. I used to live in Des Moines, and when you talk about local restaurants and parks, I just smile. I would love the Kitchen Aid Mixer to help me try out more new recipes. Thanks for your wonderful blog!
Diane
Chrissy 02.01.2016
I’ve heard awesome things about BatB! I think its time to talk the hubs into an impromptu trip of our own in the upcoming weeks!
cess 02.01.2016
get aways are so fun! I would love to have this mixer!!! THANK YOU
Lisa Brown 02.01.2016
Thank you for hosting and for the chance to win :)
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Kate S 02.01.2016
So sweet and so simple!