Description

This healthy, no-bake cookie dough features a surprise molten date-tahini caramel center. Made without refined sugar or raw eggs, it transforms pantry staples like oats and dates into a high-protein, satisfying snack or dessert.

Ingredients

1.5 cups rolled oats (for dough base, use gluten-free oats if needed)
0.5 cup unsweetened cashew butter (or almond butter)
0.25 cup pure maple syrup (for dough)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
0.25 teaspoon sea salt (for dough)
2–4 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk (or alternative milk)
0.5 cup dark chocolate chips
~6-7 large Medjool dates, pitted (for filling)
2 tablespoons tahini (for filling)
1–2 tablespoons hot water (for filling)
0.125 teaspoon ground cardamom (for filling)
1–2 tablespoons tahini, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

Prepare Caramel Filling: Process pitted dates, 2 tablespoons tahini, hot water, salt, and cardamom in a food processor until smooth. If too thick to roll, add extra hot water gradually. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.
Make Cookie Dough Base: Process rolled oats in a clean food processor until they form a fine flour. Add cashew butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Pulse until a thick dough forms, adding almond milk one tablespoon at a time until the dough holds its shape.
Fold and Assemble: Gently fold dark chocolate chips into the finished cookie dough base. Roll the chilled caramel filling into 10-12 small balls. Take a tablespoon of cookie dough, flatten it in your palm, and place one caramel ball in the center. Carefully seal the cookie dough around the caramel filling.
Chill and Serve: Place all stuffed cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm them up. Combine tahini and maple syrup for a drizzle, and serve the chilled dough balls topped with the drizzle and toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

Store these cookie dough balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. For easier handling of the sticky caramel filling, lightly dampen your fingertips before rolling.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No Bake
Cuisine: General

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ball
Calories: 200 kcal
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 35 mg
Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 24 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg