Cookie Dough-Stuffed Dates

When late afternoon rolls around, you will likely find me rustling around in my pantry or refrigerator in search of a sweet treat. While I won’t say no to a piece of chocolate, what I really need is something that satiates my sweet tooth and keeps any hunger at bay until dinnertime—and cookie dough-stuffed dates hit the mark every time. In addition to their delicious flavor, there are many health benefits of dates—and as a bonus, these stuffed dates are filled with a wholesome eggless, gluten-free and naturally sweetened chocolate chip cookie dough. What’s not to love?

Ingredients for Cookie Dough-Stuffed Dates

• Dates: You should use Medjool dates to make this recipe. These dates are large (making them perfect for stuffing) and tend to have a softer texture and sweeter flavor than other type of dates. Whole or unpitted dates tend to have a fresher flavor than pitted dates, but either will work in this date recipe. To remove the pit, cut a slit lengthwise in the date, gently squeeze it open, and use your fingers or the tip of a knife to remove the pit.
• Almond flour: This type of gluten-free flour has a lightly nutty flavor. Be sure to store any leftover almond flour in the refrigerator, as it can go rancid more quickly than wheat flour due to its higher fat content.
• Almond butter: This protein-rich nut butter helps bind the dough together. Use your favorite brand, or try one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite almond butter brands if you haven’t purchased almond butter before.
• Mini chocolate chips: Mini chocolate chips add plenty of delicious chocolate flavor. Regular chocolate chips or a chocolate bar chopped into small pieces would also work in this recipe. If you want to make vegan cookie dough-stuffed dates, use dairy-free chocolate chips.
• Maple syrup: Maple syrup sweetens the cookie dough. You can use more or less depending on your preferred sweetness level. Pick up a bottle of real maple syrup, as opposed to a syrup just meant for pancakes. For a non-vegan version, you could sweeten the dough with honey.
• Vanilla extract: Just as in regular chocolate chip cookie dough, vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor and accentuates the taste of the chocolate.
• Salt: A pinch of salt in the dough—as well as a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the stuffed dates—helps enhance the flavor and balance the sweetness of the dates.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the dates

Slice the dates open lengthwise to make a small pouch.

Editor’s Tip: If you’re using whole dates, remove the pits during this step too.

Step 2: Make the cookie dough filling

In a bowl, stir together the almond flour, almond butter, vanilla extract, salt and maple syrup until a soft dough forms.

Fold in the mini chocolate chips.

Step 3: Stuff the dates

Spoon a generous teaspoon of dough into each date.

Step 4: Refrigerate

Refrigerate the stuffed dates for about 10 minutes to allow the dough to set up. Garnish each stuffed date with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before serving.

Cookie Dough-Stuffed Date Variations

• Use a different nut (or seed) butter: For a distinct peanut butter cookie flavor, use peanut butter in place of the almond butter. Or, try making these cookie dough-stuffed dates with another type of nut butter, such as cashew butter, pumpkin seed or (swoon) hazelnut butter.
• Add a drizzle of chocolate: For an even more decadent treat, drizzle each stuffed date with melted chocolate.
• Amp up the protein: For a protein-packed treat, replace up to 2 tablespoons of the almond flour with vanilla protein powder.

How to Store Cookie Dough-Stuffed Dates

Cookie dough-stuffed dates should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How long do cookie dough-stuffed dates last?

These stuffed dates last up to seven days when stored properly in the refrigerator.

Cookie Dough-Stuffed Date Tips

What can you do with leftover cookie dough?

Eating leftover cookie dough with a spoon isn’t the worst idea. But you can also form any leftover cookie dough into balls and eat them on their own as a little sweet treat. Since the cookie dough contains almond flour (vs. regular all-purpose flour) and no eggs, it’s completely safe to eat.

Can you make cookie dough-stuffed dates with regular cookie dough?

Due to food safety reasons, using regular cookie dough isn’t a great idea. However, you could use our eggless cookie dough recipe from our chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake recipe to stuff the dates. However, note that because raw flour can harbor salmonella bacteria, heat the flour to 160°F before using to ensure it is safe to consume. The easiest way to do this is by placing the flour in a microwave-safe dish and heating it in 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals to ensure even heating, until an instant-read thermometer registers 160°.

What else can you make with dates?

A few of our favorite recipes that feature Medjool dates include chocolate-covered dates, date brownies and date shakes. Party-ready date recipes include bacon-wrapped dates and pistachio and date ricotta crostini.