Hemp-Date-Cacao Nib Snacking Cookies
These cookies are dense, protein-packed, subtly sweet and a great snack. Whether you need a little extra fuel pre or post workout, in between meals, or as a sweet treat late into the night, these cookies will not disappoint. The dates, hemp powder, and cacao nib all together create an “out of this world texture” and perfectly rich flavor.
This recipe is actually an adaption of a previous Chocolate Hemp cookie that I posted a while back on my blog. I changed it up by adding more dates and less agave, cacao nibs instead of chocolate chips, and pumpkin seeds instead of coconut. Although the original version turned out great, these small changes made the cookie extra dense from the dates, and slightly less sweet, which I prefer in a snacking cookie. I love adding hemp protein to my smoothies for extra nutrients but adding it into sweet treats like cookies is also a great way to add some extra protein and fiber into your diet.
These are definetely my favorite snack cookie at the moment that I keep reaching for in between meals. To me, they have an ideal snack-cookie texture with just the right amount of sweetness and richness. They have all my favorite things: peanut butter, hempseeds, cacao nibs and dates! By all means, feel free to add chocolate chips instead of cacao nibs or more agave if you prefer a little extra sweetness!
Hemp & Cacao Nib Snacking Cookies
(makes 1 dozen cookies)
Ingredients:
3/4 cup oats
1/2 pumpkin seeds
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup hemp protein (I used @nutiva brand)
2 tbsp hemp seeds
1/2 cup dates (~5 medjool dates)
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 tbsp agave
2 tbsp cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips
extra sprinkle of hemp seeds for garnish
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 325 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Blitz your rolled oats and pumpkin seeds in a food processor until you have a course meal. Add in your hemp protein, cinnamon, salt, and your dates. Pulse until dates are broken down into small pieces and the dough becomes stickier. Next add in your peanut butter and agave, and pulse a few more times until you have a uniform dough. Finally add in your hemp seeds and cacao nibs or chocolate chips and pulse a few times until they are evenly incorporated.
Roll your dough into 1 tbsp size balls and slightly flatten and with either your palm or back of a fork, shaping them into disk shapes. Evenly arrange your cookies on your prepared baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes. Allow your cookies to cool for at least 10-15 minutes until storing them in an airtight container.