Cookie Dough Hummus
It sounds weird, I know. Trust me on this one! I have always had a mega sweet tooth, so I would bake and buy sweets whenever I could. Edible cookie doughs started to become popular when I was still in highschool, and my friends and I would drive to the one grocery store in our area that carried them almost every weekend. As I started studying Nutrition and Dietetics, I wondered if there was a way to make something I loved so much just a bit healthier. After some digging, I stumbled across some people who were making cookie dough dips out of beans. I was skeptical at first, and I do not remember what ultimately drove me to test it out, but I am so happy I did. My friends and I now enjoy this healthier version whenever we get together. I know we are still stuck in our homes right now, but when the world opens back up after the COVID-19 pandemic, this would be a great dish to enjoy with friends or family at get-togethers. Personally, I like to serve this dish with animal crackers or apples, but graham crackers, pretzels, or any other ideas you might have would work just as well.
Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) – White beans work just as well
¼ cup of peanut butter (natural works best)
¼ cup of oats
¼ cup of maple syrup (can add more for extra sweetness)
½ tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt (optional)
Chocolate chips (Add as much or as little as you like — I use ½ C of dark chocolate)
Directions:
Rinse and drain your can of chickpeas or white beans. Add them to a food processor or blender along with all other ingredients except the chocolate chips. Blend or process your ingredients until smooth, creamy, and completely combined. You may have to scrape down the sides with a spatula a few times to ensure everything is thoroughly combined.
Once you have reached a smooth and creamy consistency, transfer the mix to a serving bowl and add your chocolate chips. Enjoy with some animal crackers, apple slices, graham crackers, pretzels, etc.