These chewy almond date cookies are so simple (only three ingredients!) and hit the spot without any refined sugar. Refined sugar is one of the worst things we consume. It’s linked to a variety of negative health outcomes, including weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, acne, and inflammation.

But let’s face it – sometimes we crave something sweet.

When that happens, turn your fruit into a dessert to knock the craving out in a healthier way. It also happens to be more fun than eating fruit on its own.

These almond date cookies are only sweetened with dates, which may be high in sugar but contain beneficial fiber (which makes them gentler on our body) and nutrients. In fact, multiple studies suggest that dates do not result in rapid and large fluctuations in blood sugar even when eaten alone. (1,2)

Dates have a variety of  health benefits, including:

  • Aid in digestion and elimination thanks to their fiber content.
  • Satisfy sweet tooth cravings without any refined sugar…or a large blood sugar spike (1,2)
  • May improve memory and learning ability because of their antioxidants and fiber.

Here’s the recipe!

Chewy Almond Date Cookies

(serves 3)

Prep: 5 min

Ingredients:

1 cup almond flour

8 dates

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions:
  1. Place all ingredients in a bullet blender or high speed blender, and blend until a dough like consistency is formed. (It may be a little crumbly, but use your hands to squeeze together – If it doesn’t stick, blend it more. If it does, move on to the next step).
  2. Scoop out the dough, divide it into six even size portions, and squeeze and roll each into a ball, and then flatten into a cookie shape between your palms.
  3. Eat as is, or if desired, heat an oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, and bake for 5 minutes, for a warm, just out of the oven cookie.
Get the printable recipe here.

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About the Author: Maria Marlowe is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach who has helped thousands of people improve their health by optimizing their diet. She has created meal plans and programs to help you lose weight, clear up acne, and spend less time in the kitchen yet still eat healthy.

She has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, NBC, Well + Good, and more. Her first book, The Real Food Grocery Guide, will teach you how to eat healthy without going broke.

Check out her site, www.mariamarlowe.com, or follow her on  Instagram @MariaMarlowe and Facebook for more healthy recipes.