If you told me 10 years ago that someday I’d love to babysit, I most likely would’ve rolled my eyes and thought you were crazy.
But spend enough time with kids and you really do begin to notice their childhood sense of innocence and wonder about the world wearing off on you.
I spent Thursday night taking care of a friend’s incredibly precocious and adorable girls, rediscovering Barbie dolls, princesses, couch cushion forts, and the Disney channel… And trying to explain dial-up internet and a VCR to someone with her own tumblr page who’s had a cell phone since birth.
Another amazing thing about children is that they just never seem to run out of energy.
Even after the Barbies went to Prom and the princess married the dragon (don’t ask :-?), my babysitting charges weren’t the slightest bit tired. So we headed to the kitchen, because what child—or adult, for that matter—doesn’t love throwing random ingredients into a food processor and seeing what turns out?
Today’s recipe is for our favorite of Thursday night’s kitchen experiments: chocolate peanut butter brownie bites.
We ate our snacks under the couch cushion fort.
(Hopefully, someday, I will be a really fun mom.)
Peanut Butter Brownie Bites
Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Bites
Print This Recipe
[mrp_rating_result show_count="false" show_rich_snippets="false"]
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup quick oats
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (or allergy-friendly alternative)
- 1 tbsp cacao or cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- jam-packed 1/4 cup dates (6 very small, or 43g)
- if using unsalted peanut butter, add a pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp water
- handful mini chocolate chips
Instructions
Combine the first 5 ingredients (and salt, if using) in a food processor (not a blender unless you must) and process until fine crumbles form. Add the water and process again. Stir in some mini chocolate chips if desired. Transfer crumbles to a small bag, and smush into a big ball. Remove from the bag and break off pieces to roll into little balls. Recipe makes 8-12 balls, depending on how big you roll them.
Link Of The Day:
Unbelievable Melty GOOEY Brownies
Cary says
Don’t know if anyone said this yet but if you don’t have dates on hand raisins are also delicious!!
junie says
Katie I made a delicious treat from dates and cocoa sometime ago. forget what it was. could you tell me where to find it please. I want to make it again. It was waaaaaaaay delicious. thanks junie
Unofficial CCK Helper says
German Chocolate Fudge Bites or Fudge Babies, most likely 🙂
Natasha says
Should dried or fresh dates be used in this recipe? Thanks, Natasha
Unofficial CCK Helper says
Dried.
BA Van Rees says
I absolutely love these. I’m really glad I can eat them without questioning what I’m doing to my body because I want to eat them ALL!
martina says
Thank you for a gluten free recipe! This so refreshing!
Nina says
Ooh I just made these and they’re SO SO GOOD! I put some of your banana butter and your chocolate banana-split butter on top of them and they’re absolutely delicious! But I was just wondering – how do you store these? I’m afraid the fridge might dry them out so do you just put them in a container or plastic wrap them and leave them out at room temperature? Thanks so much, Katie! 🙂
Unofficial CCK Helper says
Out overnight or fridge a week or freeze three weeks.
Christie says
I literally just made these and they’re delicious! They taste fantastic as is. Next time I might dip them in chocolate and let them harden, but they’re super tasty the way the are.
Rowena says
What can you use instead of oats? My kids have a severe intolerance to them. Thanks
Unofficial CCK Helper says
Any flake would probably do. Try spelt flakes in the bulk section of a health food store or from Eden brand (Google the brand). Or kamut flakes.
Jessica says
Great flavor combination, tasty, and quick to make!
Heather says
Just made these and they are amazing!!! Made a perfect lazy-Sunday-morning breakfast 🙂
Jodie says
Omg these are so delicious. I made them to the exact recipe but I made another batch with coconut butter in place of peanut butter so I could send them as kindergarten lunchbox snacks and they were just as good only allergy and a little healthier!
unanymous says
could you post how to make them? that would be awesome! thanks. no one send me any spam messages.
Julie says
My 3 year old grandson is mildly allergic to peanut butter. Will almond butter work?
Unofficial CCK Helper says
Definitely!
Jamie says
I had a major chocolate craving and a new package of dates. I googled the two and your website and voila! These delectable little bites did not dissapoint. So yummy. Exactly what I needed.
Christy c says
OMG. A little trouble with big pay off. These are addictive and good for you. Make like a quadruple batch you’ll be glad you did. Love love love these.
The Hungry Mum says
love this idea for an after school snack for misses 7 and 9 🙂
Mary says
I just made these they are very rich and full of chocolate flavor. I used PB2 4 tbls with 4 tbls of water and made the peanut butter. I left out the chips, mine came out to 36 calories per ball, I made 8 balls total. These will certainly satisfy the chocolate craving.
Marlene says
I am planning on making these soon but I don’t use the quick oats. Could I use old fashioned oats? Should I do anything to them 1st to make it ready for this recipe? Thanks! I will review once made 😉
Chocolate Covered Katie says
I think it’ll be fine, since you’re putting them in the food processor anyway.
Julie says
These were JUST what I was looking for and were super tasty!! I was so tired of the syrup or honey in energy bites and I wanted to use dates and peanut butter! What a great twist! I also appreciate the small list of common ingredients. My girls (6 & 1.5 yrs) loved these as well. Thank you.
Tip – I would make sure the dates are actually pitted! One of mine failed me and I had to fish out the pit. But I was able to save the batch thankfully ☺️