Raw Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 4 Servings

cookie dough is somewhat of a siren song in my life. It calls and beckons to me, singing its sweet melody of ooey-gooey comfort. It lures me in. I grab a spoon. Powerless. The next thing you know, the bowl is empty and there are no cookies to bake. Can you relate?

Ingredients

1 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (if you're gluten-free, make sure you're using gluten-free oats)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup chocolate chips (if you're vegan, make sure you're using vegan chips, or substitute carob chips or cacao nibs)

Instructions

Line a plate or container with parchment paper and set it aside. Combine the cashews, oats, salt and cinnamon in a food processor. Pulse together until a fine meal forms. Be careful not to over-proccess and end up with cashew butter.
Add the maple syrup and the vanilla extract to the cashew-oat mixture. Pulse again until the mixture comes together in a ball of raw dough.
Remove the ball of dough from the food processor and place it in a small bowl. Don't forget to scrape the sides and the blade of your food processor to get all the extra bits. Gently fold in the chocolate chips so they are incorporated throughout the dough mixture.
Using a cookie baller or a couple of spoons, portion out the dough into twelve even balls. Use clean hands to roll the portions of dough into perfect little spheres. Place your completed bites onto a parchment lined plate or container. You can eat them right away, or store them in the freezer for later.
If chocolate chips aren't your thing, feel free to mix it up! Maybe you'd like to try them with raisins, dried cranberries or white chocolate chips?