Cookie dough. Why is it just so incredibly difficult to resist sneaking a few bites of cookie dough when whipping up a batch of cookies? Have you ever even put a pan of cookies in the oven without “testing” them first? (You know…just to make sure they’re edible and stuff.) I know I haven’t.

My love affair with cookie dough goes way back. When I was little, my “big” sister Susie (14 years my senior, but  6 inches my junior), would “invite” me over to her house and we would bake cookies!  (In reality, my mom and dad probably bribed her to babysit.) She always made sure we had enough ingredients on hand to make double batches. This way, we wouldn’t have to worry about having enough dough to put in the oven. Pure genius.

At the time, I didn’t realize what a health risk raw cookie dough was.

Today I  eat cookie dough by the spoonful, without any fear of E. coli or salmonella! And that my friends, is just one of the many benefits of a plant based diet!

I have tried many different recipes when making chocolate chip cookie dough. I lost track of where this recipe originated, as it has become such a staple at my house, that no recipe is even needed! You have to try this!!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

1/2 c. old fashioned oats

1/2 c. raw cashews

2 T. date sugar

1/2 t. sea salt

1 t. vanilla

2 T. maple syrup

handful of chocolate chips

OR

skip the date sugar, add 3 plump dates, and add maple syrup only if the dough is too dry or you desire a little more sweetness. This is my favorite way to make them!!

Place oats and cashews in processor and process until fine crumbs form. Then, add the rest of the dry ingredients (minus the chocolate chips.) Process. Add liquids and process until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and place dough in the fridge to chill. Then roll into balls!

If you really want to impress your friends, dip the cookie dough balls in chocolate (melt chocolate chips with a smidge of coconut oil). This was INCREDIBLE. So incredible, in fact,  that I failed to take a picture. 😦

I need to work on self control.