When my 6-year-old asked if we could make a batch of cookies for when our friends came over to visit, it seemed like the perfect time to try this fruit-sweetened cookie recipe. I came across this recipe on Real Healthy Recipes, and loved that the primary sweetener was dates (in addition to the minimal amount of sugar in the dark chocolate chips).  This is the first recipe I’ve tried from Diana’s site, but it definitely won’t be the last.  They were easy to prepare and tasted great.

These cookies got an enthusiastic, positive review from 4 boys, 2 mamas, and 1 dad. In fact, everyone enjoyed them so much that the entire batch disappeared before I managed to take a picture. So, I had to make the sacrifice and cook a second batch to eat – after all, I couldn’t post recipe this without a picture. ::wink::

Here’s how I made them:

Fruit-Sweetened Double Chocolate Cookies Recipe

1.5 cups pecans
6 date rolls (about 12 pitted dates)
1 egg
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup cacao powder
1 teaspoon ground vanilla beans (you can read more about them HERE)
½ cup dark chocolate chips

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor until well blended.

Form into cookie shapes (they will not spread on their own) and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 12 minutes.

Let cool before removing from pan.

Serve and enjoy.