healthydessert

This is a little story of the Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookie. Let me start at the beginning.

I’d been trying to incorporate healthy recipes into my weekly meal plans. Not only vegan/plant-based choices, but also those with no oil, salt, or sugar. For me, I’m all-in on vegan forever. But when it comes to going strictly SOS free, I’m more flexible. I’ve got the books and seen the movies. Yet I’ve only dabbled in trying the recipes for myself. Because the ones I’ve tried have been either a hit or a miss.

But I will gladly recommend Dr. Gregor’s Cheesy Broccoli Soup. And if you substitute the oil and vegetable broth for sodium-free veggie broth, our Miraculous Minestrone Soup is a great, healthy choice as well. But the SOS free dessert is tricky. For a healthy chocolate craving, my go-to is the Peanut Butter Chocolate Smoothie. (The Hemp Heart Date Shake is a sweet treat, too!) Yet, I still like a good dessert to bite into. And I didn’t have a lot of luck with that. Until I came across a recipe for a chocolate chip chickpea cookie without sugar, salt, or oil. Unbelievable, right?!

There’s magic in chickpeas.

It’s amazing how versatile the meager chickpea (aka garbanzo bean) is! So many ways to use them in recipes. We love them in the Nautical Not Tuna Sandwich! And I plan to try out this recipe for a crispy chickpea snack. But the most surprising thing I’ve found is the way they work to replace textures normally developed with less healthy choices like eggs and flour.

And Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookie Dough?

I was skeptical, to say the least. This recipe for a chocolate chip chickpea cookie made without sugar, flour, or butter seemed completely impossible. I mean, it could be made, because I watched the video and I saw the photos. But come on, it couldn’t really taste good, could it? So I was almost angry at the thought of someone trying to sell me on the idea that something made completely from healthy ingredients would still taste good. Good as in sweet dessert treat good.

It’s easy too?!

The claims that not only could you make a healthy version of something that really tasted like a chocolate chip cookie, but also make it easier than the classic chocolate chip cookie recipe, were provocative. And I was intrigued.

So, even though I did not believe all the hype, I was sucked into it. Plus, I had all the ingredients.

cookie ingredients — assembled ingredients

chickpea cookie ingredients measured out — measured ingredients

Nothing unusual or hard to get. And it was quick, easy, and made in the blender.

cookie batter blended — a smooth, blended batter

cookie batter with leaveners — Stir in the leaveners

cookie batter smoothed in pan — Smooth batter into the pan

chocolate chip chickpea cookie ready to go into the oven — Add chocolate chips and ready to go into the oven

So I set out to prove this recipe was a fraud. It was probably nothing more than an impostor recipe disguised as a magic miracle dessert.

The magic miracle dessert- chocolate chip chickpea cookie.

Well, it is a magical miracle dessert creation! It was almost scary taking that first bite, but I broke off a little piece and tasted it. It seemed good. I tried again. Good, again! Then I had a visit from my son that day. He liked it too! And the tough sell- the Big Guy. We waited, he tasted, he liked!! Now you know it passes the test if he likes it. And he’s not going to sugar coat his opinions. 😉

chickpea cookie out of the oven — fresh out of the oven

plated chocolate chip chickpea cookie — ready to take that first bite

A Gift from the Cookie Gods?

Nah, I found it online. Also did a little deeper dive into chickpea cookies and desserts, and they’re out there. But the one that checks all the boxes health-wise is this one. I’ve flexitized (probably not a real word) it by using semi-sweet chocolate chips that have a bit of added sugar. But the Trader Joe’s 100% chocolate chips would make it compliant. Or you could use Ghirardelli 100% chips, or Santa Barbara 100% chips or try Hu chocolate chips, lightly sweetened with dates!

And I added one more date to my version, making it four as opposed to the original recipe of three. But either way, it’s delicious while still a healthy dessert. I’d say it has the soft consistency of a custard pie, but the flavor is chocolate chip cookie dough.

So prove it to yourself! Try making this crazy, unbelievable recipe and see if you agree! Make it a game and ask friends and family to taste it to guess the secret ingredient. And they won’t believe it either!

(Then, just for fun, challenge them to say Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookie three times fast. You’re trying it right now, aren’t you?)

thehamptonsvegan

Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookie

a healthy (and yummy) chocolate chip cookie recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings: 8

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

1 15 oz. can *organic chickpeas (425 grams) aka garbanzo beans DO NOT DRAIN +see notes
4 Medjool dates, pitted (about 86 grams with pits, 81 grams without pits) roughly chopped (or soak in boiled water for about 10 minutes then drain to soften if very tough so they blend easier)
1/4 cup natural peanut butter (64 grams) +see notes
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup chocolate chips (84 grams) +see notes

Equipment

1 high speed blender
1 8 inch cake pan or 8 inch springform pan

Method

Preheat oven to 350 F (177 C)
Blend dates, peanut butter, chickpeas and liquid from chickpeas in high speed blender until smooth. (no date pieces should be evident)
Add baking powder and baking soda and stir.
Pour mixture into 8 inch pan.
Top with chocolate chips.
Bake for 30 minutes.

Notes

FYI stuff:

*liquid in 15 ounce can of chickpeas equals about 2/3 cup or 6.7 ounces.

*chickpeas in a 15 ounce can is about 1 and 1/2 cups chickpeas when drained.

+to follow the No SOS way of eating (no salt, no oil, no sugar) make sure to use no sodium chickpeas; use no salt, sugar, oil peanut butter or use peanut butter powder; and use 100% chocolate chips

Jump to Recipe

This date shake is a keeper! And I never thought I liked dates all that much. But this has made me a convert! So I encourage you to give it a try, too!

The date shake deliciousness!

And it couldn’t be simpler! You might want to pick up a Costco-size carton of Medjool dates so you never run out. And while you’re there, grab a bag of Hemp Hearts too!

But don’t worry if you don’t have access to a Costco or your Costco doesn’t carry them.

Because good news! You can find hemp hearts at a number of places and dates too! I’ve found these two powerhouse taste treats not only in Whole Foods, but also in many grocery stores as well.

Couldn’t Be Simpler

And the process of making this little health-packed, tasty gem is so easy. Just measure out your few ingredients, add to blender and blend away!

Something so quick and easy that tastes like a rich, decadent drink seems too good to be true. But you can believe it. Because it’s very good, it’s super easy, and it’s a healthy beverage all wrapped into one. So no downside! And no worries!

Date Shake Proof

So, let’s break it down!

Dates–

They have a significant amount of fiber.

Plus, they are low glycemic.

And they have a great nutritional profile.

Dates contain protein, copper, magnesium, B-6, calcium, iron, and potassium.

They are a good source of antioxidants.

For more information, check out this Healthline article about dates.

Hemp Hearts–

They have an abundance of essential fatty acids: omega3 and omega-6.

Additionally, they have healthy gamma linoleic acid.

And hemp hearts are a great source of protein.

Hemp seeds also contribute vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc to our diet.

For more information, check out this Healthline article about hemp hearts.

Soy Milk–

Soy milk has one of the highest levels of protein compared to the many available kinds of plant milk.

And it has a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Plus, soy milk is a good source of B vitamins.

To read more on soy milk’s benefits, check out this WebMD article.

For information regarding studies involving dairy milk, check out these Nutritional Facts articles.

Cinnamon–

Cinnamon lowers blood sugar.

Plus, it has anti-inflammatory properties.

And cinnamon is a good source of antioxidants.

For more information about cinnamon, check out this Healthline article.

Therefore, you’re cleared to enjoy this yummy, healthy hemp heart date shake any old time you like!

I think it tastes like eggnog’s super cool, healthy cousin!

How about that for a happy ending?

P.S. Another sweet beverage treat that also brings on healthy vibes is our Peanut Butter Chocolate Smoothie.

thehamptonsvegan

Yummy, Healthy, Hemp Heart Date Shake

A delicious healthy beverage that tastes more like a guilty sweet treat

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 4

Servings: 2

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: vegan

Ingredients Method