And the BEST part? Sugar-free yet so delicious, it’s hard to stop at one or two….

~ Ingredients ~

Made about 2 1/2 doz. bites

12-14 pitted dates, soaked in some hot water for about 20 minutes

3 cups rolled whole oats (not the instant kind), run through a coffee mill to get a coarse oat flour

3-4 medium really ripe bananas

1/2 cup raisins ~ 1/2 cup chocolate chips ~ chopped nuts ~ any nut butter

Spice blend: 1 tsp each whole green cardamom seeds, 4-6 inch long pieces of Asian cinnamon, 1/2 tsp whole cloves

2-3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted to liquid

Run the spices through the coffee mill to powder them well.  Set aside.  Drain the dates off their soaking liquid.  In a large mixing bowl, with a hand-blender, mush well, all the peeled bananas and dates; add in the spices, raisins, and any other add-ins – maybe some coarsely chopped walnuts? Add the oatmeal flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing gently until a dough starts to form; add in the coconut oil and mix well.

Now you can go two ways – use a cookie dough baller and portion out the dough or go the old-fashioned way – coat your fingers with a little coconut oil and ball the dough yourself!  Chill for 20 minutes and serve with a cup of hot chai!