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!
Andrea P. 02.01.2016
These look delicious!!
Danielle Sauers 02.01.2016
This is such a unique recipe; I can’t wait to try it!
Lisa 02.01.2016
We are headed to MN this weekend.. I am going to have to check this place out! The bites also look delicious!!!
Stacey C. 02.01.2016
I would love to win a mixer for my aunt. She has always wanted one.
Aleta 02.01.2016
My trusty KitchenAid just bit the dust after 13 years of heavy service, at the same time my oven stopped working. I’m trying not to take it as a sign to stop baking!
April V 02.01.2016
great recipe AND giveaway!
The Ultimate Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie | Only Taste Matters 02.01.2016
[…] Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites from Iowa Girl Eats […]
Jamie 02.01.2016
Okay, what would you sub for cashews? I have an odd little allergy…
caslyn 02.01.2016
now i’m going to have to make a trip to MN. the food looks fantastic!
Melissa W. 02.01.2016
Thanks for the great giveaway! The choco chip bites look so good.
Gay 02.01.2016
Not too sure about the dates, but willing to try it. I’m more the roasted potato kind of girl. The Kitchen Aid is the biggest temptation!
Michelle 02.01.2016
These look delish! I have never tried anything with dates before but I will definitely be trying these bites! Thanks!
Jess Rand 02.01.2016
love your blog!
Kathleen black 02.01.2016
Love your blog, love your recipes and would absolutely LOVE to have a kitchen aid mixer!!!
Heather S. 02.01.2016
This mixer is one that would be oh so helpful & one I’ve been eyeing for years. :) Maybe I’ll win! :)
Areal Stoulil 02.01.2016
Celiac has been in my family, and where I had symptoms my whole life, they weren’t bad enough to make the commitment to a GF lifestyle. Finally, I said enough is enough and this blog has been the best thing that has happened to me! PLUS I was texting my grandma last night about wanting chocolate chip cookies!! Great health(ier) option than the cookies we had in mind! Thank you!
Sushu 02.01.2016
Thanks for doing this giveaway!
Jeff 02.01.2016
Love little energy bites like this that you can take on the go!
suz 02.01.2016
i’d love to win one of these lean, mean mixing machines. thanks for the opportunity — the kitchenaid would replace a 30-year-old-plus hand-held mixer. would be great to start with some of these valentine’s sweets. –suz in ohio
Alison 02.01.2016
I have been cutting gluten out of my diet slowly and have noticed a HUGE difference in my energy levels. Plus, less bloat! I have been following your blog for a while and love that there are so many versatile recipes! I seriously recommend your recipes all the time! These little cookie dough bites look absolutely scrumptious! Do you think adding in a bit of protein powder or Shakeology would work? Maybe reduce the amount of almond flour due to the addition of Shakeology?
Kristin 02.03.2016
I definitely think that could work!