What do you get when you combine sweet dates, rich cashews, chewy oats, and sea salt?

Cookie dough so irresistible you’ll find yourself hard-pressed to not eat it all!

These salted caramel bites would definitely be more accurately named “Salted Caramel Heaven Cookie Dough Bites”, but unfortunately that name is a bit too much of a mouthful. Sure, you could take out “heaven”, however, trust me: after tasting one of these bites you’ll insist it’s included in the name too!

Before I first tried dates, I never believed cookie dough could be made with all natural, healthy ingredients and actually taste good. I figured, well if you want to make something resembling cookie dough, you have to use some kind of oil, flour, and egg substitute- right?

Boy was I wrong.

This dough is sticky, sweet, and salty (thanks to the sea salt!). It’s incredibly satisfying due to the healthy fats included in the recipe- so you won’t feel the need to eat more than one at a time. They’re also surprisingly low in calories! While with classic cookie dough I can easily eat the entire bowl without the bat of an eye, this dough sates you after just one bite. So you’re looking at 60 calories verses at least 500, people. That’s quite a difference, if you ask me!

Not to mention, these cookie dough bites actually taste like you just poured freshly made caramel into a bowl and added salt, vanilla, and crunchy cashews! Every bit as sweet and decadent, but without all the processed sugar used to make classic caramel!

Finally, this recipe is sinfully easy to make. You simply add all the ingredients into a food processor and blend until a dough forms. Then roll them, freeze them, and you’re good to go! They’re the perfect light snack after a long day, or can even sub as a dessert to end a nice meal!

So are you with me now?

When you combine sweet dates, rich cashews, chewy oats, and sea salt, you really do get heaven.

Salted Caramel Bites

• 7 pitted medjool dates
• 1/2 c old fashioned oats
• 1 tbs flax seeds
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 c raw cashews
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

Add all ingredients to a food processor and process until it all comes together, forming a sticky dough (about 3-4 minutes). Roll dough into balls (1inch diameter) and place onto the cookie sheet. Freeze for 30 minutes or until hard. Store in a Tupperware container. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (from myfitnesspal.com)

Calories: 64

Fat: 2g

Carbs: 11g

Protein: 1g

(Yields 16 energy bites)