Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars

 

These are amazing! They actually taste like chocolate chip cookie dough.

Before I changed my diet and started eating more whole food, plant based foods, I use to love making chocolate chip cookies. Sometimes I’d eat so much dough that I’d have to make another batch just so I’d have cookies to share. Yikes!

It’s one of the joys I miss, but I certainly don’t miss the tummy and headache I’d get when eating that much sugar. Blech. So not worth it.

My daughter and I are thrilled that we can whip these up in minutes, and after a short chilling time, we can consume the deliciousness.

And, they are way more filling than actual cookie dough, so we don’t go overboard and get tummy aches. A total plus!

Ever since I fell in love with dates last year, I’ve wanted to make these.

Well, actually, I wanted to make chocolate chip mint bars but my daughter insisted on making these first. 

I was totally skeptical since I wasn’t a fan of chocolate cookie dough Larabars.

The only problem with making these? I didn’t have a full sized food processor! My mini food processor was not going to cut it, and the high-speed blender is a pain with recipes like these.

Totally doable, so if that’s all you have, do try it! My recommendation would be to blend the nuts and dates separately, then mix them together in a bowl.

I patiently waited until I got a food processor for my birthday…mother’s day…

I think I went ahead and ordered myself one…finally!

This thing is amazing! It makes food prep so easy. I think it’s a must when you eat mostly plant based foods.

If you’d like to check it out, I purchased the Breville 12 cup Sous Chef on Amazon. You can check it out here. Love! <3

I came across this particular recipe years ago on Oh She Glows website. I had never had a Larabar at the time, but it must have stuck with me because when I finally tried a Larabar and realized what I was missing, my memory brought these back to mind.

We pretty much followed the recipe with a couple of minor adjustments. You can find the original recipe here.

You must give these a try. They are WAY better than a Larabar {which I do enjoy} and so much cheaper.

Oh…and what happened to the mint chocolate chip bars I wanted so badly to make? Don’t worry…they’re coming soon!

 

Chopped Nuts

 

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars

 

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough pressed out

 

 

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars

Total Time: 10 minutes

 

INGREDIENTS

  • 1-1/2 cups raw cashews {see note}
  • 1-3/4 cup dates, pitted, packed {see note}
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 rounded tsp sea salt {teaspoon overflowth}
  • 4 tbsp mini non-dairy chocolate chips

 

DIRECTIONS

  1. Using a food processor, add the cashews and pulse until a course meal is formed, but there are some larger pieces.
  2. Add in the pitted dates, vanilla & salt. Process until it all comes together. The mixture should stick together easily. If it doesn’t, you can add a little bit of water {1-2 tbsp} at a time and process again.
  3. Add the chocolate chips and process briefly to combine.
  4. Line a 8×8 pan with parchment paper, letting the ends flow over so that you can easily pull the mixture for cutting.
  5. Place the mixture into the pan and press out evenly with your fingers, leveling it out. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
  6. If it looks like you might need a few more chocolate chips, feel free to add a few to the top and press the gently down.
  7. Place the pan, uncovered, into the freezer for at least 30-40 minutes. The longer, the better.
  8. Remove pan, pull out the parchment paper with the mixture on it and slice into bars or squares. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer or wrap them individually in plastic wrap before storing them for an easy, on-the-go snack. Personally, I like them frozen and cut-off small bite-sized pieces to snack on…and I think they taste the best frozen! We usually just leave them in the pan too because they never last very long. 😉

Alternatively, you an also roll these into walnut size balls before placing them in the freezer, then store them in an airtight container after they’re frozen. Bite sized snacks!

 

NOTES

◊ We used cashew pieces instead of whole cashews because they cost a little less. If using whole cashews, you may want to start with 1 cup dates and add more if needed.

◊ If your dates are dry, you may want to soak them in filtered water for about 30 minutes to plump them back up. You can also add a little water to the mixture if it seems too dry.

 

Did you give this recipe a try? If so, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comments below!

oxo,

Lisa Cien

 

 

 

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