Chocolate Date Cookies

Nutrient-rich dates and dark chocolate combine in this chocolate date cookie recipe, replacing sugar with dates for a healthier cookie alternative.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 133 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• hot water as needed
• 8 ounces pitted Deglet Noor dates
• 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.75 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.25 cup rolled oats
• 0.5 cup dark chocolate chips
• 0.25 cup dark cocoa powder (such as Hershey's® Special Dark)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2

Place dates in a small bowl; add enough hot water to cover. Set aside until soft, about 10 minutes.

Step 3

Remove dates from water; reserve soaking liquid. Combine dates, walnuts, and vegetable oil in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until mixture forms a paste and no large date chunks remain (this may take several minutes). Add soaking liquid, 1 tablespoon at a time, if mixture is too dry, until reaches a paste-like consistency.

Step 4

Add egg and vanilla; pulse to combine. Add oats, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; pulse to combine, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Fold in chocolate chips (dough will be very sticky).

Step 5

Scoop dough into balls using a medium cookie scoop; place 1 inch apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Press dough balls down with damp fingers to flatten slightly.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are just set, 13 to 15 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.