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!
Dani 02.01.2016
OMG, I NEED this mixer in PINK! Also, LOVE this recipe!! I routinely make ‘balls’ like these and love that Lincoln calls them sweet meatballs! Too cute! :)
Traci 02.01.2016
Those look so good and as I try to eliminate processed foods, a great sweet substitute. Glad you had a fun get away
Naomi 02.01.2016
That trip sounds amazing! And so do the cookie dough bites!
Ashley H. 02.01.2016
Those bites look delicious and those mixers are gorgeous!
Ashley 02.01.2016
These cookie dough bites look really good. :)
Jessica 02.01.2016
Looks yummy and a creative twist on an old classic!
Lesley K 02.01.2016
Great giveaway! And those chocolate chip bites look amaze-balls!
Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run 02.01.2016
This recipe looks great!
ShaNae 02.01.2016
Thank for the fun giveaway. Also, thank you for all the gf recipes. It has made a huge difference in my family’s life.
Terry 02.01.2016
Loved the BNB when I went had steak and scallops, mmmmm. The best.
Julie 02.01.2016
What a fun wknd getaway!!! I would love to win the red mixer. I have a friend who doesn’t have one (gasp!), & I would love to surprise her w/ it.
Robyn 02.01.2016
Always wanted one of these Kitchen Aid Mixers but the price is just too steep for me. I have a huge sweet tooth and these look delicious and wouldn’t have the same guilt factor the other junk I find myself eating leaves me with.
Courtney 02.01.2016
wow, love this recipe! Also love the spur-of-the-moment road trip. I live in a state where it takes me about three hours to get to 6 different states, so I love randomly driving to a different state on the weekends !
steph 02.01.2016
My daughter would love those cookie bites! On the list for this weekend baking :)
Leela 02.01.2016
They look great!
Nicole C 02.01.2016
Yum!
Elizabeth 02.01.2016
I have all of these ingredients at home! So making these tonight!
Christina 02.01.2016
Chocolate chip cookie bites – yum!
Cindy 02.01.2016
Great giveaway!
Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl 02.01.2016
These looks super delicious!
Also, I have to know… do you remember where you purchased that cute little mini cake platter? I am making a super small cake for my fiance and I to cut at our wedding and it looks like it would be perfect!
Kristin 02.03.2016
I got it at Target – it will be so cute for your cake!