Today I want to tell you about how embarrassing my busband is.
Yesterday he got into an argument with a lady at the store. Apparently, she gave him a dirty look, and he thought this was a good reason to cause a scene and argue with her right in the middle of the grocery store. Clearly, he’s really mature. 
Luckily, I wasn’t with him. I only felt embarrassed hearing the story. You see, he is totally the type to just say whatever is on his mind, which is, like, the opposite of me. I am the type that when I say the wrong thing, I still think about it, and analyze it months later.
I suppose I should be less embarrassed, and more grateful that I have a husband who never minds running out to the store for whatever crazy ingredients I need at the moment. You see, I am also the type of person who forgets everything. I’m really type A about some things, but not normal things. I make lists, but I don’t follow them. I hate mess, but I’m messy. Sometimes, I don’t even understand myself!
You know what else I don’t understand? Dates. How do they make things so sweet, and delicious when you don’t add any sugar??? And WHY HAVE I NOT BEEN DOING THIS FOREVER AND EVER????? The thing is, my sweet tooth has gotten totally out of control, and I’m not running right now to at least balance out all the sugar I want to eat ALL THE TIME, so something needs to give. My friend Heidi is always making all sorts of delicious treats that are only sweetened by dates, then the other day Sally made some that looked amazing too.
Then, I went to Whole Foods, and they had samples of something pretty similar, and it literally tasted JUST LIKE COOKIE DOUGH. I looked at the ingredients, took it as a sign, and went right home to my food processor.
You guys, THEY TASTE JUST LIKE COOKIE DOUGH!!! Not like the “oh these taste pretty good for healthy food” or in the way a Larabar says it tastes like cookie dough, but really just tastes like a delicious snack; no–these taste like legit cookie dough, and the 8 that came out of my batch lasted about a day. Soft, chewy, cinnamony goodness that is totally good for you. I’m in so much love. I made these Wednesday, and it took me all of 36 hours to share them with you!
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Bites
yield 8
- 3/4 cups chopped pitted dates
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp butter extract
- 1 tbsp almond butter (or peanut butter, or sunflower butter, or whatever kind you like)
- 1 tbsp chopped roasted almonds (or any nut of choice)
- pinch salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp rolled oats (use gluten-free if that’s important to you)
- 1/4 cup raisins
- finely shredded reduced fat unsweetened coconut for rolling (optional, but recommended)
Directions:
- Blend dates and extracts in your food processor until they form a sticky ball, about 4-5 minutes. Add almond butter, and continue to process until combined. Add almonds, salt, cinnamon and oats, and process for 1-2 more minutes, until everything is sticking together.
- Remove dough from food processor. Use you hands to fold in raisins.
- Roll dough into 1″ balls. If desired, roll in coconut. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
looks great!
Thanks Liana!
Like I said, I’m not allowed to visit your blog anymore.
But these are actually healthy!
I actually hate oatmeal raisin anything but… You make these look scrumptious!
You mean I finally made something you could actually eat, and you hate oatmeal raisin???? Awwww, well I just made something similar with no oatmeal, no raisins and sunflower seeds. They were also delicious
YUM! Your pictures are gorgeous, too, by the way!
Thanks so much Linz!!
I don’t know why, but smaller version of treats always win me over. Maybe it’s the built in portion control, but these look so fun!
ME TOO! I usually make my cookies on the small side too. It’s one of the reasons I don’t love cake or cupcakes. Thanks Heather!
I think I’ll be making Oatmeal Cookie bites. I like raisins by themselves but not in things so they have to go!
Re – “I am also the type of person who forgets everything. I’m really type A about some things, but not normal things. I make lists, but I don’t follow them. I hate mess, but I’m messy.”
Why don’t you live in Omaha so we can be best friends? That describes me perfectly! It drives my husband crazy that I can go the store and leave the coupons and list on the counter or the very thing I went there to return sitting on the table. Messes are ok as long as they’re organized messes (i.e. in a drawer or closet.)
I *almost* put chocolate chips in instead of raisins, but I was trying not to add extra sugar so I stuck with raisins. They will be great without, or with some mini chocolate chips
Uggghhh, Omaha is SO FAR AWAY. I think you might need to move to Phoenix. Or we can meet in the middle in some super awesome location to begin our best friendship
oatmeal raisin cookies are my VERY favorite kind of cookie.
And I love to secretly eat the dough Ari. I’ve consumed mass amounts of it in my life lol! But this just seems to make much more sense. I love making bites like this, especially starting with dates. I have so many dates left over from my truffles last week, i’ve been eating them with peanut butter. i think i need to try these though!
I LOVE dates with peanut butter! I always eat the dough too, haha. I pretend I’m “taste testing”, but then a few spoonfuls later…well you know how it goes
One of my fave things to make is raw/vegan cookie dough balls and bars. Oats, dates, cinnamon, and raisins – can do no wrong! And throw in some PB for good measure