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!
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
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!
Abbe L 02.01.2016
This looks like such a tasty and healthy recipe. Once my husband realized that I could just make cookies at a moments notice, I have to have chocolate chips on hand at all times, should the craving hit! A stand mixer would no doubt mean more cookies for him (and me)!
Sandy w 02.01.2016
These look really good and your impromptu trip looked like so much fun. My mouth is watering looking at all those food pictures. Glad you had a fun weekend.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious 02.01.2016
Oh yum! I’m a huge fan of cashews in recipes. I have all these ingredients in my pantry. These are calling my name!
Sarah Madison 02.01.2016
I have developed digestion issues in the last ten years, and while I know I do better if I avoid wheat and dairy, 99% of the replacement recipes I’ve taste like I’m eating sand. You give me hope that perhaps life as I know it, is not over. ;-)
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday 02.01.2016
I’m not great with spontaneity but that trip sounds incredible! I did take a nice break this weekend from work, though, so I can relate to the “good for the soul” aspect a bit.
(Also, these cookie dough bites sound delicious!)
Courtney Kerr 02.01.2016
Amazing! I would loveeeee a mixer :)
Barbara 02.01.2016
Yummy!
Cookies and Cream Truffles - Vegetarian Mamma 02.01.2016
[…] Chew Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites from Iowa Girl Eats […]
Bridget 02.01.2016
My will power against sweets is my downfall. After a couple of your posts related to the Go Sugar Free course, I keep debating if it is something I can be successful at. Cookies have been my latest temptation- perhaps this recipe will help me beat it without actually making cookies!
Courtney 02.01.2016
Yum!
Laurel 02.01.2016
Yum! Larabars are my go-to dessert dupe – these look great too!
Lauren 02.01.2016
My friend was just diagnosed as Celiac and is having a tough time with it. I’ve already shared your blog with her so she won’t be surprised when I bring these over to cheer her up!
Fei-fei 02.01.2016
These look easy and delicious.
Audrey 02.01.2016
what a wonderful recipe – i will be making this today!!
Rachel 02.01.2016
I really, really hope I win this giveaway. The only kitchen appliance missing in my life is a RED Kitchen Aid mixer. I always lovingly stare at them each time I am in Williams Sonoma. Pick me!
Bryn Broussard 02.01.2016
Oh I need I mixer for my best friend! This would be perfect for her.
Jenice 02.01.2016
Remodeling my kitchen and would love a new mixer.. Love all your recipes and it is fun to watch Lincoln grow.
Jen 02.01.2016
Sounds like a great weekend. Thanks for the restaurant recommendations. We will have to try them next time we are in Minneapolis.
Kori 02.01.2016
Love this! Definitely going to make some “cookie dough” tonight
Gluten Free Cookie Dough Brownie Cake (Vegan) - Petite Allergy Treats 02.01.2016
[…] Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites from Iowa Girl Eats […]