Hello there, melty caramel center. We’ll get to you in a minute.
I’ve been brainstorming some amazing ideas on variations of my chickpea cookies. Rather than play around with the “failed” taro version like I originally intended this past weekend, I was inspired by a new product in my kitchen. When Alex went to the store the other day and asked if I needed anything, I told him to check the chocolate chip section for anything fun that might jump out at him. He brought home these.
I had visions of melted caramel running through my mind and thought a turtle cookie might just be incredible. I gathered the basic ingredients to get started, along with a couple new players.
Pecans, raw cacao powder, the caramel bits, and then I remembered I had this!
NuNaturals cocoa bean extract. I hadn’t played around with this yet, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Those caramel bits are pretty awesome, and ironically they kind of look like little chickpeas. Speaking of, I used fresh cooked chickpeas this time instead of canned. I’m really trying to do more of my own bean cooking, and fresh-cooked chickpeas are so fluffy and eons better tasting than their canned counterparts. Anyway, I digress.
Based on the looks of the dough balls, I had a feeling I were going to have a bit of a melted caramel mess on my hands post baking. Not that that’s a bad thing!
Those melted crunchy bits on the outside ended up being my favorite part. You definitely have to let these guys cool for a while on the cookie sheet before trying to move them though, or else the caramel gets stuck and falls out of the cookie.
Ridiculous. And then there was the melted goodness inside.
Yeah, it was definitely as delicious as it looked.
Cocoa Caramel Chickpea Cookies
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Keywords: bake dessert gluten-free chickpeas cookie
Ingredients (32 cookies)
- 3 cups cooked chickpeas (or two 15 oz cans, rinsed and drained)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 3 tbsp brown rice flour
- 2 tbsp raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
- 1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 20 drops vanilla stevia (or one packet powdered stevia)
- 1/4 tsp cocoa bean extract
- 2-6 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp caramel bits
- 1/4 cup pecan pieces
Instructions
Combine all ingredients save for the almond milk, pecans, and caramel bits in a food processor until well combined. Add almond milk one tbsp at a time while the food processor is running until the dough reaches a smooth consistency. Scoop the dough into a bowl and fold in the pecans and caramel bits. Use a cookie scoop to scoop out dough, roll between hands to make a smooth ball, and place balls on foil or parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, allow to cool on sheet for 15-20 min – you’ll want to wait until the caramel has cooled a bit or else moving them is a disaster. Can be stored for several days in an airtight container, or put in the fridge or freezer for longer storage.
Again, these are not a very sweet cookie – I personally loved the sweetness lended by the caramel, but you could always add some sugar or more sweetener of choice to the batch if you prefer a sweeter cookie.
If you don’t want to be tempted by an enormous plate of cookies all weekend make 32 cookies, you can easily halve the recipe as well.
I already have several recipes in my head to try out over the next few weekends – including mega peanutty peanut butter, chocolate mint, perfecting the taro recipe, and a sugar-free version.
Let me know if you have any ideas you’d like me to try my hand at making!
<3 C
“Those caramel bits are pretty awesome, and ironically they kind of look like little chickpeas.”
I was thinking that just as I read that sentence
I’ve been a little suspicious of the chickpea cookies, but you’ve almost convinced me! Maybe caramel AND white chocolate chips …? Just a thought.
That is a version that Alex would love, so I may just have to incorporate that into the rotation!
And then send to me as a “push present.” EVEN though I think those are dumb. That just sounds sooooooooo good!
Hahaha I’ve never heard of a push present!! But I might be able to work something out!
Been waiting.
Pinned!
Eeeee, yay! As I was typing the post up, all I could think is this might be the perfect recipe for a friend expecting twins
<3 <3 <3
Love you Christin!
Love you, Heather! I’m floating with joy over here about your news, seriously.
Caramel in the center?! Genius. In my version of heaven, they serve these every day. Along with a version containing marshmallow in the center.
SHIT YES! A smores version… you are a damn genius
Yum!! These look delicious
I second the s’mores version !
Oh now these look just beyond delicious!! I love caramel so these are just right up my alley!!
OK, I would normally never bake with beans. But these cookies look absolutely delicious! I’m going to have to try them!
I seriously love them. I know it sounds bizarre, but I’m a horrible baker for the most part (flour and proper measurements and all that crap, I just don’t have time/interest in that) so when I find something that works for me I stick with it!
Whoa, these look seriously amazing. They’d be awesome stuffed with chocolate, too!
Mmmmm, yes they certainly would me! *mental note*
oh i have used those in healthy bites before. They are addicting, um yea. I mean HELL YA on this recipe!
OMG, I can only imagine the awesomeness of these in a Healthy Bite!! They are ridiculous
OMG!!!! Those are the caramel bits that are in pauls fav fresh market trail mix!!!! eeeeee!!!!! must find these now!!!!!!!!!!
ok that was overly shreikishly excitable jenn. ill play it cool for now on
lies =)
I love comments from you, lady! You shriek about all you want!
I hope you find them. If not let me know and maybe I can send you some!
Oh my gosh those look so good! I always cook my own beans. When I eat canned beans now they taste like metal. I know weird, but I swear they do. Dang those look good!
I totally know what you mean! I don’t think I can go back now that I’ve started!
These look amazing! You’re a genius
I want those crispy parts…
Thanks, Lisa! And seriously… I want to make a tray of the crispies alone.
You win.
[And apparently I can't just write 'you win' or my comment is too short?]
You win. For real.
I know. WordPress is a big fan of making us use our words.
And thank you… I am pretty dang proud of these.
These look delicious. Thanks for the clear directions and great photos!
Thanks, Miri!
these look amazing! and of course I read this just after dinner when I’m having a massive sweet tooth. I love your new recipe format on the blog – looks fab!
Thank you, I love the formatting too. It’s called Recipage and Emily from Daily Garnish and her husband created it. Pretty brilliant overall, and I too love how clean it looks!
I’ve seen those caramel bits and I never got them, assuming they have dairy. And that they would never make into anything baked because I’d eat them straight before I ever had a chance to make something.
You are officially the queen of the chickpea cookie. I bow down before you.
I do believe there is dairy, yes. And if I wasn’t in need of some corrective dental work and for fear of losing a filling, I’d eat them straight too.
Yummy! That melted caramel is killing me… I’ve made most types of beans from scratch before, but not chickpeas. I’ll have to try it!
Oooo, definitely make yourself some chickpeas… I don’t think I can go back now that I’ve done it.
oooo i am loving the oozy middle!
Ha, that’s what SHE said. ;P Seriously though, melty caramel in my mouf mmmm.
Mmmmmmmmmmm…..! I can see from the picture just how fluffychewytasty those are, I need them
Yes, that is an excellent descriptor for them
I have never tried to bake with stevia, is there a particular brand or kind that works best for baking?
This recipe looks delicious, I am going to make it over the weekend!
Priyanka, I am a huge fan of the NuNaturals brand of stevia. https://nunaturals.com/ No bitter aftertaste. They actually have a baking blend that I use on occasion for certain recipes that is pretty great. Keep me posted if you make the cookies!
Love the idea of this – I don’t eat a lot of sweet stuff, so I think I would like a not overly sweet cookie.
Of course, I would never tell my husband and daughter there were chickpeas in them – that will be our little secret.
Thanks for your continued support this week – I appreciate it!
I definitely love serving things like these to unsuspecting “victims” who don’t know what’s in there.
And Biz, you’re in my thoughts and prayers in a big way. Stay strong… I know you will.
I want to make these!!!!!!!!!!! I wish those melty caramel thingies were dairy free… So so good!
I was totally thinking the caramel bits looked like little chickpeas! This is amazing girl and kudos to Alex for picking a winner! BB probably would have brought back something with bacon in it! Lol
You just reminded me that I RA-heeeeeeeeely need to tackle my dried beans in the pantry. I’m always thinking about making some, but I forget to soak them and just give up and go with the canned ones! I think I’ll put some to soak tonight and throw them in the crock pot tomorrow so I’ll have beans all week…hmm, maybe I should warn my co-workers!
I’ve been doing the beans all week thing for a couple weeks now… they make such a great addition to my lunches, even if their side effects are a little undesirable.
Made these today. Perfect treat. Thanks
I’m so happy to hear that you liked them!