6 ingredient No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies

I was looking for something sweet, something that was easy to make, and something that I could bake to pass the time. It was a humid Saturday night and it was just my brother and me at home. So, I was itching for anything that could pass that time and keep me preoccupied; tv wasn't cutting it.

Fast forward 15 minutes later along with some online scrolling and searching for "healthy dessert ideas", I remembered Half Baked Harvest's page. If you've never of her or her recipes, mmm.... you ARE missing out. But have no fear, I'm sharing her recipe below.

This choco-chip recipe does call for an ingredient that you may not have available- Medjool dates. These dates are MY FAVORITE. Speaking frankly, I'll eat two every morning when I wake up as a little treat because, why not? However, if you don't have dates, you could try to substitute with dried figs, raisins, apricots, or cherries (I literally just searched for substitutes while writing this portion so, if you have a better idea- use it!).

Furthermore, I couldn't find any roasted cashews in my pantry so, I supplemented them with pecans. I included the same amount that the recipe used of cashews.

Only 6 ingredients are required: roasted cashews, dates, chocolate chips, coconut oil, oats, and vanilla extract.

Blend all but the choco chips in a food processor until the dough is soft enough to be rolled into a ball, mix in the choco chips, chill, and woolah. Now, make sure to use a food processor (like a blender) and not a mixing machine. Due to experience, this doesn't work well and the dates will not get smaller (hee hee....took me about 5 minutes to realize my mistake).

After chilling, the recipe suggests a drizzle of chocolate on the cookies with a sprinkle of salt. Now, I'm not suggesting anything but....I strongly recommend the extra chocolate.

20 minutes later, your cookies are complete. And, they do taste delicious. Honestly, they taste like a regular chocolate chip cookie but, they have a nuttier flavor with an added burst of chocolate. The texture is also doughier and softer. Give these a go if you're looking for something that is simple to make and curbs that sweet tooth.

Recipe

100% vegan, made with six very simple ingredients, free of added sugar, loaded with chocolate, is beyond delicious and requires no baking.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups roasted, cashews
• 8 oz pitted Medjool dates (the more plump and moist, the better)
• 3 tbsps coconut oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
  • Plus an additional 4 oz to drizzle over the cookies, if you should desire
• Flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the cashews, dates, coconut oil, vanilla, and oats. Pulse until well combined and no large chunks of dates remain. If the dough seems dry, add an extra tablespoon of coconut oil and a splash of water to bring the dough together. Stir in the chocolate chips. 

3. Roll the dough into 18-20 tablespoon size balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Using the palm of your hand, gently press down on each dough ball to flatten into circles. Transfer to the freezer and freeze 10-15 minutes or until firm. 

4. If desired, melt 4 ounces of chocolate and drizzle over the cookies. Sprinkle with flaky salt. Eat...or let the chocolate harden and store in an airtight container in the fridge. 

Make sure to head on over https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/ for more scrumptious recipes. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.