NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Everyone in my family has a serious sweet tooth. And while that may sound like it could be a health issue, I choose to view it as a plus because it’s a great reason to keep dark chocolate and dried fruit in the house. And since I find that love to end most days with chocolate, I’ve decided that there’s no way that I expect my kids to be any different. These No-Bake Chocolate Cookies are a family favorite.

HEALTHY NO-BAKE COOKIES

These cookies are made without refined sugar but they have an intense cocoa flavor. They are the kind of cookie you can enjoy immensely, but won’t feel like you want to eat the whole batch, which is a winning combination in my book.

We love to serve these as a snack or as part of dinner—yes, dessert with dinner, which can take some of the power away from it being a “treat” food. I assume that this is partly because the dessert food is being neutralized and is simply another component of the meal. It’s not a treat or a special food in this context, so there’s no reason to want it more on an emotional level. It may taste delicious, but the kiddo might be just as hungry for the other parts of her meal!

INGREDIENTS IN NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE COOKIES

To make these healthy chocolate cookies you’ll need Medjool dates, raw cashews, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and shredded unsweetened coconut. Dates are something I don’t always have in my pantry, but you don’t need many for this recipe and they store well in the fridge—so you can get a few batches of these no-bake cookies from one package.

HOW TO MAKE NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE COOKIES STEP-BY-STEP

Here’s a look at how to make these easy no-bake cookies.

1. Place the cashews and dates in a medium bowl and cover with water. Let sit for 1-2 hours to soften. Drain and pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Add cashews, dates, and vanilla to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse, stopping to scrape down the sides often, until ground into a relatively smooth paste-like dough.
3. Add the vanilla and coconut. Add a few drops of water if needed to help the dough come together, but add the water sparingly.
4. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
5. Use a teaspoon to portion out the dough, rolling each in the palm of your hand. Leave as balls or flatten into cookie shapes. Serve, or store in the fridge and enjoy cold!

NO-BAKE COOKIES WITH COCONUT

The ingredients in these cookies are healthy and flavorful, so you don’t need to add any other flavorings to them to make them taste great. And they are very soft (like a Larabar) for little ones to eat. Roll them into balls or flatten them slightly into cookies according to how your kids might like them best. Plus, rolling them into unsweetened coconut or cocoa powder for a little extra zing? Yes, please!

HOW LONG CAN I STORE THESE NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE COOKIES?

These cookies will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE COOKIES

• Soak the nuts and dried fruit so they’re soft and easy to blend.
• Chill the mixture if you find it too sticky to roll into balls, or wet your hands a little.
• Roll in cocoa powder or shredded unsweetened coconut if desired.
• Press into silicone mini molds to make in fun shapes such as hearts or stars.
• Store in the fridge.

I’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS RECIPE IF YOU TRY IT, SO PLEASE COMMENT BELOW WITH YOUR THOUGHTS!