FROZEN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH BALLS /  by Lindsey | Dolly and Oatmeal

i know temps will cool soon, but it’s been hovering around the 100°F height mark in socal, and this very pregnant lady needed chocolate chip cookies without turning the oven on (because even with AC on the feet swell, and the dizziness sets in). this super easy, super quick recipe came about because i was constantly snacking on amesy’s stash of cookie dough in the freezer. he liiiiiives for chocolate chip cookies so i usually make about a batch of chocolate chip cookies that i cook off one by one. but i had found myself plucking a frozen chocolate chip cookie dough ball almost nightly. that’s when i decided i needed a stash all my own (because mom guilt), and i also wanted to make them a little more freezer friendly.

these are completely almond-based and made from almond flour and almond butter. both give the smooth velvety consistency of cookie dough, all you have to do is let the ball sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes before you take a bite. aside from those ingredients, we add some super basic pantry staples: almond butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, chocolate chunks, and salt! that’s it. these literally could not be easier to make. from there, we mix the dough together, and form them into balls. then into the freezer for about an hour. you could top with with a chocolate drizzle and some flaky salt, or just keep them as is. they’re stored in an airtight container in your freezer and keep for months (if you can make them last that long).

they’re the perfect little pop of chocolate chip cookie dough on these hot summer days, and i hope you love them as much as i do!

xo!

frozen chocolate chip cookie dough balls | gf & v

before eating, let the balls sit out at room temp for about 5 minutes, just to soften slightly.

print the recipe

| makes about a dozen |

  • 1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour

  • heaping 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond butter

  • 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil

  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup (preferably grade b)

  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chunks (60-70% cacao)

optional toppings:

  • chocolate drizzle

  • flaky sea salt

  • cacao nibs

  • chopped nuts

  • hemp seeds

method

  1. line a baking sheet with parchment paper. set aside.

  2. in a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour and salt. using a rubber spatula, add the coconut oil, maple syrup, almond butter, and vanilla until combined. then add the chocolate chunks (the dough will be quite thick, this is what we want).

  3. using a tablespoon cookie scoop (or an equivalent), scoop the dough out into the palm of your hands. moving quickly (especially if you hands are warm), roll the dough between your palms making even-sized balls. place on the parchment and repeat with the remaining dough. pop the tray in the freezer and freeze for 1 hour. top with chocolate drizzle and other toppings if desired. freeze once again. then store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

similar recipes:

raw “nutella” bars

raw “nutella” bars

frozen chia peanut butter cups

frozen chia peanut butter cups

inside -out chocolate chunk cookie bars

inside -out chocolate chunk cookie bars

EVERYDAY VEGAN CAESAR DRESSING /  by Lindsey | Dolly and Oatmeal

we’re back again this week with a favorite dressing that i’ve been wanting to share here for a long while. i’ve been making different variations of vegan caesar dressings for years now. it first began in my book when i discovered that when you mixed chickpea flour with water over a low flame you could achieve a gooey/creamy cheese-like texture that when blended with a few other ingredients could come very close to the flavor of a traditional caesar salad dressing. a few years later, i developed another iteration of a caesar dressing, but this time with a coconut yogurt and tahini base. over the past couple of years though, plant-based yogurt has come a long way, and the flavors and textures that were once harder to achieve have become much easier. so here is yet another variation using a newer-to-me almond milk yogurt that i love.

this recipe uses a plant-based yogurt i rely on for many creamy sauces. it’s a greek-style almond milk yogurt that (because of its thick texture) holds up much like that of a traditional greek yogurt. from there, we simply add a few pantry staples to get that rich and tangy, caesar dressing flavor we all know and love. we replace the parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast giving it that distinct cheesy vibe. and add a splash of coconut aminos (or tamari) for a little hit of umami flavor that otherwise would have been provided by anchovies. there’s some dijon, garlic, and lemon juice, and a few other ingredients that result in the best vegan caesar dressing i’ve had (and made) to date!

while you can totally use this as a traditional caesar dressing, i’ve come to love using it as a dip as well. and because it lasts in your fridge for well over a week, it’s perfect as part of your meal prep rotation (and not just for caesar salads!). it’s a great for a snack with some cut veg, drizzled over roasted asparagus, mixed into a chicken, chickpea or egg salad. tossed into a lentil bowl. drizzled over a lunch or dinner bowl. or even a dip for homemade baked fries (last night we used it to drizzle over our veggie kabobs and it was everything!). like i’ve noted before, i love an all-purpose dressing/dip, and this one for sure hits the mark. i hope you get the chance to make it!

happy sunday, loves. xo!

everyday vegan caesar dressing

print the recipe

method

  1. in a high-speed blender (preferably a Vitamix), combine the yogurt, nutritional yeast, vinegar, lemon juice, dijon, capers, garlic, coconut aminos, and season with salt and pepper. pulse; with the blender running on low, drizzle in the olive oil until everything is combined and dressing is smooth and creamy.

  2. remove the lid, taste. adjust any seasonings if necessary.

  3. store dressing in a lidded jar in your refrigerator for up to 10 days.

ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cultured plant-based yogurt (preferably this one)

  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 2 teaspoons dijon mustard

  • 2 teaspoons drained capers

  • 1 clove garlic, grated over a microplane

  • splash of coconut aminos, or gluten-free tamari

  • fine salt & freshly ground pepper

  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil

GARLIC-TURMERIC SAUCE /  by Lindsey | Dolly and Oatmeal

happy sunday! i hope you’re having a good weekend so far. it’s chilly, cloudy, and a little misty here in LA on this first june weekend, which is kind of a bummer. i’m also heading into my 30th week of pregnancy which is taking its toll on my physical mobility at the moment. everything is way slower, and my lower back is way more sore. i’m beyond grateful that this little babe is so active, but i’m also trying to stay chill at the thought that he may grow up to be just like his very active big brother. time will obviously tell, but the idea of another little guy making his way into our home very soon is so very thrilling while simultaneously causing me to have pangs of anxiety. so some warm and brightness by way of this turmeric-y sauce is just what this up coming week needs!

this garlicky turmeric sauce is a constant in our house. i’ve been making it for years, and have found so many uses for it. smothered over roasted potatoes, drizzled over a lunch or dinner bowl, surrounded by a bed of vegetables for a wholesome dip/snack situation, or served over your protein of choice (i love how it pairs with grilled fish personally). the base of this sauce is plant-based yogurt (although you could definitely use a greek yogurt if that’s your preference), a bit of tahini paste, and some vinegar. these 3 ingredients are the cornerstone of a lot of sauces i make, bringing substance, flavor, creaminess, and a tangy punch. from there it’s easy to layer in whatever flavors you’re looking to incorporate. in this case we add fresh turmeric root, and fresh garlic for a super bright but earthy sauce. plus, its vibrant color will perk any meal up, and impress any dinner guest.

i hope you love this one 💛

garlic-turmeric sauce

print the recipe

method

  1. in a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the yogurt, tahini, vinegar, turmeric, garlic, and maple syrup. season with salt and pepper. taste and adjust if necessary.

  2. store sauce in a lidded jar or container in your refrigerator for up to 1 week.

ingredients

| makes just over 1/2 cup |

  • 1/2 cup plant-based unsweetened yogurt (i prefer using this one)

  • 2 teaspoons tahini

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

  • 2 teaspoons freshly grated turmeric root (or 1/2-1 teaspoon ground turmeric)

  • 1 garlic clove grated over a microplane

  • splash of maple syrup

  • fine salt & freshly ground pepper