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!
Liz 02.01.2016
I’ve only done spontaneous day trips but this post makes me want to book a hotel to a nearby city asap!
Yum- I love little bites like these. And some of the other recipes look amazing!
Janet White 02.01.2016
Can.not tell you how many people I have recommended to look at your site. Pure.Love.It. Addicting, it is actually. Thank you!!
Laur 02.01.2016
Two things I love: Dates as a natural sweetener + your comment box being at the top of the comment list. Lol
Stacy 02.01.2016
These look so so tasty! I love any good way to get some chocolate in my belly!
Laura t. 02.01.2016
These look incredibly easy! Will definitely make this week
Katherine S 02.01.2016
I would love a green or blue if they have those options. Can’t wait to try this recipe today!
Lindsey 02.01.2016
Can’t wait to try these, they look great!
paige c 02.01.2016
yum these bites have all of my favorite ingredients in them! Cannot wait to make them!
Kelly S. 02.01.2016
These look delicious; I love anything bite-sized to curb sweet tooth cravings. (And love a chance to win a Kitchen Aid, too!)
Robin 02.01.2016
I would love a new Kitchen Aid Mixer. A red one, please.
Chocolate "Love" Cakes {Gluten-free} 02.01.2016
[…] Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites from Iowa Girl Eats […]
Kelsey 02.01.2016
These look yummy! Hard to believe that they taste like cookie dough but I’ll trust you!
http://www.kelseymarie.co
kristin 02.01.2016
love both of those restaurants!
Amy 02.01.2016
I love that you 3 spontaneously came up here to Minneapolis! Wow, very fun:) I have lived in MN most of my life and work downtown Mpls, yet I’ve never been to Butcher and the Boar…..this must change soon! YUM!
Kristen Young 02.01.2016
I’m already dreaming of the delish recipes I can make if i win this!! I bake all the time and the hand mixer is QUITE the workout!
What a great giveaway!!
Paula 02.01.2016
these sound good
Joanna 02.01.2016
Love this giveaway!
Suzie 02.01.2016
Smoked cheddarwurst with those onions is my dream!!! That would be great for Super Bowl Sunday. I need to find some stat.
Eryka 02.01.2016
I love roadtrips — BatB sounds great!
Nikki S 02.01.2016
I’d love to win this mixer for my friend who follows a gluten free diet and is always on the lookout for treats she can enjoy.