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!
Krista 02.01.2016
I would love to win one of these mixers!! I have had a KitchenAid mixer for about 20 years now and it is starting to show its wear. The clip broke, the bowl is bent, the paddle is losing it’s coating . . . it is definitely time for a new one!
Ooey Gooey Red Velvet Cookies {Gluten-Free} & Kitchenaide Giveaway! - Gluten Free Frenzy 02.01.2016
[…] Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites from Iowa Girl Eats […]
Shari W 02.01.2016
Yummmy! Do you think any other type of nut (rather than cashew) would work? My kiddo has severe nut allergies: he can have almonds, but not much else. Cashews blend up much creamier due to higher fat content, so I’m worried it won’t work. :-( What are your thoughts?
Marcia S. 02.01.2016
These bites look tasty and healthy, I like it!
Athena R 02.01.2016
These look so delicious! I know my son would love them.
Jenny 02.01.2016
I love the Plumberry and the Raspberry ice! I’ve never seen those colors. Beautiful. I love this recipe. I am always in search of these as I am gluten free and want my family to enjoy everything without it being flavorless.
Gillian 02.01.2016
I need to get back to Minneapolis to try these places!
Danae 02.01.2016
Love these GFsweet treats! Thank you for sharing with us. Will be making the cookie dough bites for my 3 boys!
Molly 02.01.2016
A pink Kitchen Aid. How fun!
kirsten ellermann 02.01.2016
How cute are those new Kitchen Aid mixer colors?! LOVE!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet 02.01.2016
Yay for impromptu weekend trips — especially trips to Minneapolis!! I was just there and I’m totally jealous about your Brasa experience! We couldn’t cram all the places we wanted to eat at into our trip, and unfortunately Brasa couldn’t make the cut this time. I know next time we go I’ll be eating what you had for sure! NOMS.
P.S. LOVE these bites! Pinning!
Sara 02.01.2016
I would LOVE a Kitchen Aid Mixer!!!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes 02.01.2016
Thank you for a wonderful giveaway!
Kristi Brown 02.01.2016
I am 46 and have never had a Kitchen Maid!!! Am dying for one! Have followed you for years and- not that Im glad you now have Celiac- but as a Celiac I really appreciate all the advice, restaurant suggestions, brand/ingredient suggestions, etc you graciously give on top of yummy recipes that work for me AND my family!
Leah 02.01.2016
These looks super yum! And your trip sounds like a blast, love finding new spots to try in the Midwest
Sherrill 02.01.2016
These look yummy! Remind me of a protein power ball I make for my kiddo!
Angela 02.01.2016
Awww…I miss those days of impromptu getaways! With three kids and another on the way, they’re few and far between these days! These mixers are beautiful!
Judy 02.01.2016
I am going to try the little chocolate chip cookie snacks, they look luscious. Crossing my fingers for the Kitchen Aid Mixer. What a nice prize.
Robin 02.01.2016
Looks delish…
Holly 02.01.2016
This recipe looks great, can’t wait to try them!