Do you struggle to get your kids to try new foods? Make it a taste test challenge! I use this strategy when counseling families to help encourage food exploration. I recently did this taste challenge between two cookie dough recipe creations. I had to invite some friends over to break the tie. The results were split down the middle. So it’s up to you now! Let me know which one was victorious with your family.
Tips to Get Your Kiddo Involved in this Recipe
Your child is one smart cookie! So, regardless of your kiddo’s experience in the kitchen, there is always a way to get them cooking. Check out these easy-peasy ways to spark your child’s passion for food.
1. Gather ingredients.
Send your sous chef on a mission to track down all your tasty ingredients. After all, finding the cinnamon, vanilla, and almond extract, at least in my pantry, is no small feat. Then, allow your child to open, smell, or taste each ingredient to activate their senses and become more familiar with different flavors.
2. Rinse and Repeat.
Giving chickpeas a rinse can significantly reduce the overall sodium content—potentially up to 40%. Pop open the can and place the chickpeas in a colander. Then, let your kiddo take it from there!
3. A Push of a Button.
While it may seem simple, children LOVE to push buttons. It allows their little fingers to jumpstart an action contributing to the final product. In this case, your kiddo can watch whole chickpeas turn to a silky-smooth spread at a moment’s notice.
4. Pick a Pairing.
Put your kid in the power position to choose a healthy pairing for their decadent (yet healthy) cookie dough snack. Offer fruit of varying colors and textures to give your child the opportunity to find something they love.
5. Go Loco for the Cocoa or Cocao.
The most beloved step of them all! Allow your a-dough-rable child to measure and mix the chocolate chips into their cookie creation. For extra stability, hold the bowl while your sous chef finalizes their culinary creation. Or else, it may turn into a kitchen dough-saster. Once the chocolate chips are fully incorporated, it’s ready to serve!
- For many years, I’ve recommended a limited number of cocoa brands for my clients when nutrition counseling due to heavy metals in soils in certain regions where cocoa grows.
With my family, I use Ghirardelli® Chocolate Premium Baking Chips – 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate as its lowest in heavy metals like lead and cadmium.
Food Prep Tip
For this chickpea cookie dough taste test challenge, use just one can of beans evenly divided between both recipes.
Recipe #1 Extra Gooey Chickpea Cookie Dough
Ingredients
- 7.5 oz. low-sodium or regular canned chickpeas (half a 15 oz. can) drained & rinsed thoroughly
- 1/8 cup maple syrup
- 1/8 cup almond butter
- 1 tbsp oat flour blend whole oats into flour (use oat flour in tasty recipes like banana walnut waffles)
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 cup mini dark chocolate chips (set aside)
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse and drain chickpeas.
- In a blender at high speed, add chickpeas. Blend until smooth.
- Add almond butter, almond extract, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to the chickpea mixture. Blend until fully incorporated but don’t over-blend.
- In a medium bowl, add the cookie dough mixture. With a silicone spatula, fold in chocolate chips until thoroughly combined.
- Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes before serving.
- Serve with sliced fruit.
- Store leftovers in the fridge.
Recipe # 2 Rollable Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Ingredients
- 7.5 oz low-sodium or regular chickpeas (half a 15 oz. can) drained & rinsed thoroughly
- 2 tbsp oat flour
- 1/8 cup brown sugar
- 1/8 cup cashew butter
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 cup mini dark chocolate chips (set aside)
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse and drain chickpeas.
- In a blender at high speed, add chickpeas. Blend until smooth.
- Add cashew butter, almond extract, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to the chickpea mixture. Blend until fully incorporated and smooth.
- In a medium bowl, add the cookie dough mixture. With a silicone spatula, fold in chocolate chips until fully combined.
- Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes before serving.
- Serve with sliced fruit.
- Store leftovers in the fridge.
