The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabar is one of my youngest son’s favorite treats. As you may know, Larabars are not cheap. In spite of the price, I have been buying them occasionally because I want to make my Sweet Pea happy. I am often incapable of resisting his charms. (Could you resist this face?)
In order to save some money I finally decided to try making them for myself. I’m happy to report it turned out great. You may have already seen my post on Homemade Coconut Cream Pie Larabar which is another one of our favorites. This recipe is similarly simple. It contains only 3-4 ingredients and is very quick, easy and delicious. These bonbons are great as a snack or treat and make a sophisticated dessert offering for a party.
Ingredients
- 4 large Medjool dates, pitted
- 3/4 cup raw cashews
- 2 tablespoons mini dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder (optional)
Instructions
- Place pitted dates and cashews in food processor and process for 1-2 minutes until completely pureed.
- Add the mini dark chocolate chips and pulse a few times, just until combined.
- Remove dough from food processor and form into 12 balls (I prefer the term ‘bonbon’).
- Roll bonbons in cacao powder (optional)
I like to refrigerate the bonbons to harden them but it is not entirely necessary. An alternative is to simply replicate the original Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabar by forming into bars. To do that I suggest you form the dough into a ball, flatten out into a rectangle, refrigerate until hardened, then cut into four bars.
Recipe Note: The moisture content of the dates you use will impact how well the bonbons stick together. The ones I used were very large, fresh and moist so I ended up with a moist final product. If the dates you use are drier, I suggest you try adding a VERY small amount of coconut oil to the food processor. You could also try heating the dates with a small amount of water in a microwave for a few seconds before adding them to the food processor.
I hope you will give this simple recipe a try. You might even like them as much as my little Sweet Pea.
Do you like Larabars? When do you eat them? Breakfast, snack or for dessert?
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Wow! These look GREAT! Can’t wait to try them!
Thanks Jocelyn!
I LOVE Larabars too! I don’t eat them as often as I used to but with nice recipes like this I may start! Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is one of my favorites as well…your little one has good taste!
Andrea, I relied on Larabars quite a bit when I first transitioned to eating Paleo. But, like you, I have scaled back a lot. I simply do not feel the need to snack like I did before because I am being well nourished at meal times. But I like this recipe because they are in smaller portions. I can have one on an occasion when I want something a little sweet and I’m fine with that. Thanks for the comments.
Just tried these today! So yummy, great for a sweet bite. Thanks!
You’re welcome Kayleigh. My dad used to say you can satisfy your sweet tooth with just a little bite – I think he was right.
I made these truffles recently. I’m not familiar with Larabars but you had me at the words “cookie dough”. Ha! They were really great and I thought truly reminiscent of cookie dough. Thank you very much for this recipe!
Jeradawn, You should try them after a few seconds in the microwave.
Thank you for the recipe!! I am a broke paleo college student so every way I can save money and still remain in this amazing lifestyle is very helpful!! I absolutely LOVE Larabars! =)
You’re welcome, Ashley. Larabars are terrific but aren’t exactly easy on the pocketbook. I’m glad this helps you. It helps me too.
Hello!
I love the idea of this recipe, but I wondered if there were any substitutions for the dates that you would recommend? I don’t like dates too much.
-Holly
Holly,
That’s a tough one. The dates are pretty integral part of this recipe. But, IMHO, the other flavors kind of mask the flavor of the dates. The only other thing I can think of is maybe dried plums but I am not sure they would be sticky enough.
Sooo good. My “anti-paleo” in-laws loved them…even after I told them they were paleo
Amazing! I started doing Paleo about 3 months ago and am loving it. This recipe does taste a lot like the Larabars, it’s made up of 3 simple ingredients that I love to snack on individually, and it’s so easy to make!
Hey Nancy,
So glad you like it.
Thanks, Lea
Thanks!
These look great.
I was wondering if you (or any of your followers) have ever attempted making the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Larabar? That one is my favorite! They have dates, peanuts, chocolate chips, and sea salt.
No. We haven’t. The paleo diet eliminates legumes and peanuts are technically legumes so we pretty much stick to eating the Larabars that use other nuts. But I’d bet you either find a similar recipe online or maybe experiment subbing some peanuts for the cashews or almonds.