Raw Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites

Life without dessert is blasphemy. However, in an effort to get ready for all these weddings in which I am a bridesmaid I have recently been making slightly healthier options for dessert and then distributing the not-so-healthy treats you see on this blog to labmates and friends. Today I am sharing a healthier dessert option! It is actually one of the ways I suppress cookie cravings. Not that I don’t still eat cookies on a regular basis, but this is one way I resist having multiple cookies (or other baked buttery goodness) every single day – raw cookie dough balls made from ground nuts.

I have shared a couple other versions of these before such as chocolate chip cookie dough and s’mores cookie dough, and now I present peanut butter complete with traditional fork hash marks! The first time I made these bites they were a bit greasy so the second batch I reduced the raisins by 1 tablespoon and then added 2 tablepoons oats to absorb the oil from the ground up raisins and peanuts. If you are gluten-intolerant you can easily make these using gluten-free oats which can be found in the health food section of most groceries. I think dates would work in place of the raisins as well if you prefer. Allergic to peanuts? Try almonds and almond butter.

One year ago: Red Velvet Cake Batter Dip

Two years ago: Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seed Cookies

RAW PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE DOUGH BITES

Makes about 8 bites

Ingredients:

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp raisins

2 Tbsp quick oats

1/8 tsp salt

2 Tbsp roasted, unsalted peanuts

1/8 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients into a food processor and combine until very smooth. Roll into balls and then press with a fork to create the traditional peanut butter cookie markings, if desired.
2. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge.

Source: Adapted slightly from Chocolate Covered Katie.