{Healthy} Cookie Dough Dip

I know what you're thinking, Amanda, sharing a recipe about cookie dough dip? What alternate universe is this?! But not to worry, this is totally one of those sneaky, healthy snacks disguised as a sweet treat. And can you guess what the secret ingredient is? Wait for it....

Garbanzo beans! Or depending on where you grew up, chick peas. These innocent looking beans are packed with nutrients and when well rinsed or cooked from dry really don't have much flavor to speak of but are perfectly creamy on the inside and waiting to be transformed into something tasty.

This is beyond simple and so delicious and satisfying. You can modify it every time you make it by adding what you like and make it as sweet as you want.

Guilt Free Cookie Dough Dip

• 1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed well
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 TBS nut butter
• 1 TBS-1/4 cup milk of choice
• 3 TBS sweetener
• 2-3 TBS flaxmeal or oats
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips and any other goodies you would like to add

You want to start off by rinsing a can of garbanzo beans. Make sure to rinse them really, really well. Toss them in your food processor along with everything but the chocolate chips. When it comes to the vanilla extract I will sometimes only add 11/2 tsp vanilla and add 1/2 tsp coconut extract. For nut butter I usually add homemade almond butter only because I usually have it on hand and it's a little less peanut-y than peanut butter. For sweetener I usually do a combination of honey and maple syrup, I just looooove the way maple syrup makes this dip taste. Another tip, I usually only add a splash of almond milk at the beginning and add a little at a time until it's to my desired consistency.

Blend away then stir in chocolate chips and anything else you would like to add. This time I added unsweetened coconut flakes and butterscotch chips. Everything is better with butterscotch. Serve along side your favorite dippers. I usually like apples, graham crackers, pita chips, cinnamon sugar pita chips, or ya know, just a spoon.

Just makes sure not to tell the kids (or the husband) that it's secretly good for you.

And because this hardly counts as a recipe here's another tasty snack to have with garbanzo beans. Just drain, rinse, and dry and roast a can of garbanzo beans at 375 for 45-60 minutes until crunchy. Then toss with 1 TBS of the oil of your choice, I use olive for savory and coconut for sweet. And then toss with any other seasonings you like. For  parmesan garlic use 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. For honey cinnamon add 1 tsp honey, 1-2 TBS honey and a dash of nutmeg. You can pop these ones back in to caramelize if you like. I wish I had pictures but when I thought of it they had already been gobbled up before they could even cool all the way!