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    Home » Recipes » Healthy Desserts

    Date-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

    Published: May 26, 2014 · Modified: May 15, 2020 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links · 23 Comments

    Jump to Recipe  ↓

    For several years now, I've been embarking on a new time in my life.

    ball11

    I'm at this in-between stage of getting older, where certain things that I've previously enjoyed, seem a bit incongruous now.

    Topping this list includes activities like:

    1) Shopping at stores like Hollister and American Eagle, stores I've always loved, but have recently been feeling a bit out of place in,

    2) Watching MTV. The bloom is definitely off the rose there, as I feel like I'm watching younger and younger people say and do dumber and dumber things,

    3) Listening to any song involving girls kissing girls or teeny boppers crooning the boys to 'come and get it'.  (For the record, I only enjoyed the melody of ONE of the above songs.)

    Granted, I'm not that old yet, but with two little daughters, I find myself more and more wishing to be a positive role model in all that I do and wanting to steer them clear of some of the above worldly mayhem.

    While eagle-emblazoned baby tees and self-proclaimed blockheads may be on the outs, one thing I'll never be too old for is cookie dough!

    ball22

    I recently watched an episode of Trisha's Southern Kitchen (which is a bit like food porn for me) where Trisha made a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough balls for herself and her friend to indulge in.

    Where she used the traditional white flour, butter, and sugar, I have instead employed walnuts, oat flour, and a combination of maple syrup and honey.

    I wanted to make these less of the typical raw treat and more of an actual batch of cookie dough that you might bake (though I haven't tried).

    ball33

    The walnuts take the place of both flour and butter, as they have the consistency of the former when broken down, and the nut's natural fat eliminates the need for any extra oil. The maple syrup and honey (obviously) lend sweetness as well as contributing to binding.

    I find that the small dash of baking soda really gives this treat a signature cookie dough taste, lending more validity to this whole sweet fantasy.

    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls (Date-Free, Vegan)

    Prep Time10 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Servings: 15 -20 balls
    Calories: 102kcal
    Author: Lauren Goslin

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ c. raw walnuts
    • 1 c. oat flour
    • 1 t. chia seeds optional
    • ½ t. sea salt
    • 1 t. cinnamon
    • ¼ t. baking soda
    • 3 T. maple syrup
    • 1 T. raw honey or more maple syrup if vegan
    • 2-3 T. cacao nibs chopped dark chocolate, or chocolate chips, etc.

    Instructions

    • Pulse the walnuts until they are a meal-y consistency (be careful, as walnuts can butterize quickly)
    • Pulse in the oat flour, chia seeds (if using), sea salt, cinnamon, and baking soda until combined.
    • Pulse in the sweeteners until you start to see the mixture clump together.
    • Pulse in the chocolate.
    • Roll into balls.
    • Chill and enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutrition facts are based on using the optional chia seeds, honey, and two tablespoons cacao nibs. WW points (new system): 3

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Sodium: 64mg | Sugar: 3.4g | Fiber: 1.3g | Calories: 102kcal | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7.1g | Fat: 7.1g | Protein: 3.1g | Carbohydrates: 8.3g

    Inspired by this recipe

    If you divide the batter into 20, each treat is low in both carbs (7.7 grams) AND sugar (3.1 grams).

    ball44

    Isn't that cute? I was just trying to photograph the recipe in a different way, and it ended up having that little face! Everyone needs a cookie dough snowman! 🙂

    I made this recipe the other night, and my husband probably ate two-thirds of the batch! >:-I

    Because these have walnuts, they're really not for our kids, so he and I constantly squabble over them (with me hiding them in the vegetable drawer and him finding them now that I've revealed my secret spot on here several times). Argh!

    Do you feel like you've grown out of anything in the stage of life you're currently in?

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    Filed Under: Healthy Desserts, Low Sugar Desserts

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Meg

      July 11, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      Thanks, I will let you know when I do that then 🙂

      Reply
    2. Meg

      July 11, 2014 at 2:21 pm

      How would I sub the oat flour if I'm eating grain-free foods only and sugar free (using stevia and xylitol). Because the honey binds, what would I use to bind this together, if I use on of the other sweeteners?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 11, 2014 at 6:37 pm

        Hi Meg,

        You could try almond meal for the oat flour, but I'm not sure about the honey...maybe a combination of stevia/xylitol and coconut milk?...

        Reply
    3. Donna

      June 25, 2014 at 6:44 am

      These sound really delicious and love that they are not loaded with nuts and coconut oil etc.....i did not know you could eat oats 'raw'? Are they digestible without being soaked etc....even ground into powder? Thanks, sorry for sounding a bit ignorant' 🙂

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 25, 2014 at 9:21 am

        Hi Donna,

        Everyone is different, but they agree with me just fine. Soaking definitely helps with digestion, but you would then have to dry the oats to use them in this recipe or to grind into flour. Hopefully that helps! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Darcy Palmer

      June 05, 2014 at 8:13 am

      Yum! I saw this recipe today and got right up and made them. Yummy!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 05, 2014 at 9:16 am

        Thanks Darcy! I'm so happy you enjoyed them! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Gabby @ the veggie nook

      May 29, 2014 at 10:07 am

      Oh that face is adorable! What a happy coincidence 🙂 These look delicious, I love the addition of baking soda!

      Reply
    6. Ashley @ Blissful Basil

      May 28, 2014 at 12:45 pm

      These look so delicious, Lauren! I love that they're more like bake-able cookie dough bites rather than raw and date-filled. I love dates, but it's nice to mix things up a bit!

      As for growing older, I definitely prefer a casual night in with my husband rather than a city night out on the town. We used to fill our weekends with dinner reservations and concerts, and now we're happiest filling our time with bike rides, home-cooked meals, and green juice! I think the older I get, the more I appreciate the simpler things in life that once seemed boring. That being said, I still find myself singing along to both of the songs you mentioned and others like them -- guilty pleasure that I just can't quit! 🙂

      Reply
    7. Aubree Cherie @ Living Free

      May 28, 2014 at 6:35 am

      Cannot wait to try these - they looks so decadent! I love your tower pic too, super cute 😉

      I saw your link over at Allergy Free Wednesday. I'd love it, if you're interested, if you'd also link up this recipe to Naturally Sweet Tuesdays! http://livingfree.aubreecherie.com/2014/05/introducing-naturally-sweet-tuesday-new-blog-carnival-link-up/comment-page-1/#comment-46804 Thanks for considering 🙂

      All the best, ~Aubree

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 28, 2014 at 7:28 am

        Thanks Aubree, I'll definitely check it out! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Mary Frances

      May 27, 2014 at 6:16 pm

      I will be ok if people get too old for Justin Bieber, but cookie dough? No way. Nooooo way will cookie dough ever get old! And I love that this is actually cookie dough!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 27, 2014 at 6:35 pm

        Haha, booooo Justin Bieber! 🙂 xo

        Reply
    9. Izzy @ she likes food

      May 27, 2014 at 11:24 am

      I love that you used walnuts in these in place of both flour and butter, what a brilliant idea! I never understand when people say they don't like walnuts, because in my opinion they taste like butter! So funny and random to bump into you at the grocery story yesterday, definitely a sign we need to hang out and also I want you to make delicious cookie dough balls and brownie bars for me, haha 🙂

      I was never one to stay out too late, but I've noticed that these days I am much more interested in coming home early and getting a good nights sleep than being the last one to leave a party. I also find that I get pretty cranky and require lots of snacks if we eat dinner any later than 7:00. Maybe I'm just an old person at heart!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 27, 2014 at 12:24 pm

        Hi Izzy! Yes, so great to meet you yesterday! I'm excited to have broken that ice and look forward to when we can finally get together! 🙂

        Haha, I'm totally with you on being old at heart. I've always been more about sleep than partying and am definitely known for eating dinner early (4:30pm).
        🙂

        Reply
    10. Allison

      May 27, 2014 at 5:21 am

      I need these ASAP! I honestly always have some sort of "power ball" kicking around in my fridge. I enjoy them anytime of day! I love that you used walnuts, because I'm a walnut freak! I can't live without them.

      Heh, and I know what you mean about this age-stage. I recently had this same "crisis" when purchasing a skirt for summer. Is it too short for my age or too long for my age? What's the age-appropriate length!? Ahhh.

      Reply
    11. Marianne

      May 26, 2014 at 9:59 am

      Love these! This recipe goes to the top of my list of things to make.
      P.S. Hide things in plain sight. Works for me every time 😉

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 26, 2014 at 4:42 pm

        Lol! I'll have to try that next time Marianne, he's definitely on to me though! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Matt Robinson

      May 26, 2014 at 8:47 am

      My boys would go crazy for these, Lauren. So great!

      Reply
    13. Mike@TheIronYou

      May 26, 2014 at 8:26 am

      Raw cookie dough is something I've been meaning to try in a long time...so I guess this is it, off to the kitchen to give this recipe a try! 🙂

      Reply
    14. Adrienne @ Whole New Mom

      May 26, 2014 at 8:02 am

      I hear ya on all of the above. You will be a great role model :). Love the recipe!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 26, 2014 at 9:51 am

        Thanks so much Adrienne! 🙂

        Reply
    15. Melissa @ Nourish By Melissa

      May 26, 2014 at 6:35 am

      These look delicious! As much as I love dates, I've seen so many "cookie dough ball" recipes using dates...love this version 🙂

      Reply

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    Hi there, I'm Lauren Goslin, and I've been a food blogger for over ten years. My goal with this blog is to show you healthy, lower sugar recipes that my family and I enjoy.

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