No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

These are the perfect snack to have in your freezer. As a recovering sugar addict, I usually find that abstaining from sugar as much as possible works best for me. The second I start eating something sweet, I either get headaches or start craving more sugar, neither of which are helpful for feeling balanced and energized.

However, one time I find it really helpful to have sweet things on hand is for when we're at social events where people will be eating desserts. There's something about not joining in on the party when everyone's gorging on chocolate cake that makes me feel a little bit left out. Through lots of mindful eating practice, I know it doesn't work for me to indulge in desserts that were baked outside of my home since they're usually filled with refined sugars, processed oils, and gluten and just make me feel terrible after eating them. But when I bring this to a social event, I not only have something sweet to snack on along with everyone else, but I always get a ton of people asking for the recipe because they can't believe how good these are without being filled with junk! These cookie dough balls get their sweetness from dates, which are naturally very high in sugar, but there's only two used to make the entire batch. But consuming this natural sugar alongside protein from the hemp seeds and the fat from the cashews and nut butter slows the rate of blood sugar spike and insulin release. I actually now find dates too sweet and overwhelming when eaten plain, but the cashews and nut butter really balance it out so there's a hint of sweetness but it doesn't feel like you're eating a date with chocolate chips stuck onto it.

Also pictured here: Pecan Pie Bites, recipe from Millennial Kosher by Chanie Apfelbaum

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw, unsalted cashews

• 1/4 cup natural nut butter (I like almond or peanut butter best)

• 2 dates, pitted

• 1 Tbsp coconut oil

• 2 Tbsp Hemp seeds

• 1-2 Tbsp water

• 2 Tbsp mini chocolate chips

• sea salt flakes to top, optional

Instructions

1. Add cashews, nut butter, hemp seeds, and dates to a food processor fitted with an S blade and start blending. Slowly add in water, 1 Tbsp at a time.

2. Check the consistency. It shouldn't be so sticky that it gets stuck on your hands, but you should be able to form a ball that holds its shape. If mixture is too crumbly, you can add a bit more water or coconut oil.

3. Remove the S blade and mix in chocolate chips.

4. Use your hands to form balls about 1-inch thick in diameter. Place on a tray lined with parchment paper.

5. Top with sea salt flakes if desired.

6. Freeze for about 15 minutes, then transfer to a sealed container.

7. Enjoy!