Healthy, simple, gluten-free & vegan dessert bites that taste like cookie dough, but made from wholesome ingredients with no grains or refined sugars.
I am the world’s biggest procrastinator. No matter what it is on my to do list, I will find something else to do. When I should be working for my real job I will find any excuse to edit photos or write a blog post, but this morning when I sat down to write, I spent an hour singing Let it Go from Frozen while playing on the ukulele instead.
I’m still not very good at the ukulele, but it doesn’t stop me from playing along and singing my little heart out. I’m sure my husband really appreciated my lackluster attempt while he tried to catch up on Modern Family. Especially after I made him listen to the Frozen soundtrack (with me singing along) for about 3 hours of our road trip to California.
So anyway, let’s talk about the food. I have the world’s biggest sweet tooth. Like, seriously I could be in that world records book. It’s bad news and I try really hard to curb it, but I am not a person who can give up dessert.
I’ve been really making an effort since holiday cookie palooza to be a bit more mindful of my dessert habit, and really just my food choices in general. I’ve only baked one batch of cookies in 2014! Who am I?? The sad thing is they didn’t even turn out good enough to take pictures of. Womp womp. They were cakey, and I just don’t do cakey cookies
So in an attempt to make a little healthier treat, I threw a bunch of things in my food processor one day, and these babies popped out! Well, by “popped out”, I mean I rolled them into cute little balls, but I didn’t want to call them balls because it makes me giggle, so I called them bites which I probably subconsciously stole from my friend Lindsay who makes all sorts of amazing treats like these!
These little guys seriously taste just like cookie dough, but only have a handful of healthy ingredients. They’re perfect pre/post work out, as a snack, or as dessert. And trust me, they are so delicious that they taste like dessert and no one will have any idea that they’re actually healthy!
Healthy, simple, gluten-free & vegan dessert bites that taste like cookie dough, but made from wholesome ingredients with no grains or refined sugars.
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 scant cup cashew flour
- 3-5 tablespoons maple syrup*
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
- pinch sea salt
- 1/3 cup mini dark chocolate chips (or cacao nibs)
Instructions
- Blend coconut in food processor or Vitamix until it breaks down and becomes coconut butter. This can take up to 10 minutes, so be patient and give the food processor a break every few minutes to prevent burning out. Add cashew flour, maple syrup, extracts and salt. Blend until all ingredients are combined and form a big dough ball.
- Transfer dough to a large bowl and stir in chocolate chips. Roll into small balls. Store in an airtight container for 7-10 days.
Notes
*Amount of maple syrup can vary based on desired sweetness. I used 4 tbsp, but if you like things less sweet, I recommend starting with 3 and adding more to taste at the end.
I’ve had Let It Go stuck in my head for the past week and a half… Everything will be all quiet and then I’ll just start belting out the chorus out of nowhere. Love.that.song. And love to look of these bites! I’m all about the healthy cookie dough 😀
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. link love 2/2 .
That happens to me with Fixer Upper! 😉
yum!!
girl… i’m such a procrastinator too… I have found that my computer is a complete time suck for me 99.9% of the time! If I worked from home, I would get fired! lol
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Friday Five and Favorites
OMG ME TOO!!!
Must. get. a. Vitamix! STAT!
Jennifer F recently posted…Thai Something New – Recipe & CrossFit Games Open
I do love mine, but I usually make stuff like this in my food processor which is equally amazing!
I love cookie dough so these are simply a no brainer! yum!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted…My Happy Sweat
So yummy! I just got something similar in the mail from “Primal Pacs” if you have heard of them. I love anything cocounut, these are perfect for a snack!
Ericka @ The Sweet Life recently posted…Superbowl of a Weekend & Core Power Day #8
I haven’t heard of them, but now I definitely need to check it out! I am a huge coconut fan also!
Oh my goodness, that is too cute! Bites look yum, that’s for sure 🙂
Kierston recently posted…#RECIPEFRIDAY: Chinese New Year Recipe Round-up!
why am I SHOCKED you are a procrastinator?!
you seem so kickassorganized in all you do.
Carla recently posted…How could I love you better?
Oh my gosh, THANK YOU!! I actually get that a lot. I am a “get shit done” type, but it’s all a mess inside my brain, and I can’t get myself to actually get to work until the last second. It’s bad news….
i just saw cashew flour at tj’s for the first time, but didn’t get it because i didn’t know what to do it! totally going to make these!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted…Weekend Highlights
I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it when I bought it, but before I knew it I had used all of it and wanted to buy more! I like it even better than almond flour–more neutral flavor that doesn’t over power!
Yum, yum, yuuuummm!!!! Lovvvvveee cookie dough bites!!! I love eating one…..or more likely….a few of them when I come back from my runs! My sweet tooth will be very happy with these!
Tina Muir recently posted…Quest Bars Product Review
That’s the PERFECT time! You sound just like me 😉
Wow, deliciousness! I already have coconut butter… I assume I could use that?
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted…NJ Trail Winter Race Recap
Totally! Start with about a cup of coconut butter and add more if necessary. 🙂
Yummmy. I need more treats like this in my life. I too am the world’s biggest procrastinator so I can relate. 🙂
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats recently posted…One Month Postpartum Update
Hehe glad I’m not the only one! 🙂
OOOH! Now, I so want these! Ha! I too have a sweet tooth, but have to behave myself most of the time. 🙂 I’ll have to try to make these soon!
Shannon @ Girl’s Got Sole recently posted…The Weekly Chase #1
It’s so hard! Treats like this definitely help though. 😉
These Bites (not balls -giggle) look so yummy!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen recently posted…Trisha Yearwood’s Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
I giggle every.single.time. I’m 12. 😉
Looks delicious! I bet that coconutty flavor comes through the cookies. I love me some coconut and chocolate.
I’m a terrible procrastinator. Or forgetter. I’m like, “yes, I will do this.” Then I walk into the next room and see something else that needs to be done and well….
annie @ chase that i love recently posted…Fruit Energy Jellies
ME TOO!! That sounds just like my life haha. And yes–coconut and chocolate is one of the world’s best combos!
These look so good! Yummy!
I’m not a huge procrastinator, and I always get things done when they need to be done, but sometimes I wait a little too long.
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman recently posted…Never Give Up
THE PERFECT BITE! I am starting to think you need to go on Top Chef or Top Chef Desserts Ari!!
GiGi Eats Celebrities recently posted…The Results of a Single-Blind Experiment
OMG You are the sweetest! Thanks so much friend!
Coconut? Chocolate? Sign me up!
I hate to be so anal, but I just noticed the first picture is missing the “t” in chocolate. Just thought I’d let you know. I’m surprised I even noticed with all that chocolate action going on!
Emily @SinfulNutrition recently posted…Eat Croissants. Drink Wine. Be Skinny : The French Paradox
Oh my gosh, THANK YOU! I can’t believe I missed that. I am the worst with typos and attention to detail. Thanks for being anal for me! 🙂
These look amazing. Just pinned them. They may be my first attempt at gluten free treats.
YAY!! Enjoy and let me know how they turn out!
Okay so I don’t have a food processor, and my blender is not cutting it. Could I buy a coconut butter or oil and use that instead. How much of it would you suggest.
Yes! Buy coconut butter. I would start with 1 cup and see how the texture looks at the end. If it’s too dry, add more coconut butter. What kind of blender do you have?
These look awesome! I didn’t know you could make coconut butter in the food processor like that. Also, I need to go and see frozen this weekend, so many people seem to adore it. I’m curious to find out how it is
Stephanie recently posted…My 5 Most Used Cookbooks of 2013
OMG you MUST!! SO GOOD! And yes…it takes a bit to get there so you have to be patient, but it turns out great!
If you don’t have cashew flour is there something else you can use in its place?
You can make your own cashew flour in your food processor with raw cashews, or you can use any nut flour. Enjoy Penny!
YAY!! Great minds! Love you too!!