Naturally sweet chocolate treats (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Cookie Base

01 - 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted (about 8-10 large dates)
02 - 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
06 - 1/3 cup butter, melted
07 - 1 large egg, room temperature
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Mix-ins and Toppings

09 - 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher)
10 - 1/3 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans work best)
11 - Flaky sea salt for sprinkling

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If your dates aren't very soft, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
02 - Add the pitted dates and whole wheat flour to a food processor. Pulse until the dates are finely ground and well-mixed with the flour - this prevents the dates from becoming too sticky and helps distribute their sweetness evenly.
03 - Transfer the date-flour mixture to a large bowl. Add baking soda, cinnamon, and sea salt, then whisk to combine thoroughly.
04 - Pour in the melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is just combined and a soft dough forms.
05 - Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
06 - Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Roll into balls, place on the prepared baking sheet, and slightly flatten each cookie with your palm. Leave about 2 inches between cookies. Sprinkle each with a small amount of flaky sea salt.
07 - Bake for 13-15 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. They won't brown as much as traditional cookies due to the lack of refined sugar.
08 - Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. They'll firm up as they cool while staying chewy inside.

# Notes:

01 - These naturally sweetened chocolate-nut cookies rely entirely on dates for sweetness, making them a healthier alternative to traditional cookies.
02 - The combination of whole wheat flour and nuts adds fiber and nutrients, while the dark chocolate provides antioxidants.
03 - Perfect for health-conscious sweet tooth cravings or as a more nutritious treat for kids' lunchboxes.
04 - Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

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