Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (Vegan & Gluten Free)

Uh huh you read that right, chocolate chip cookie dough truffles.  And yes it tastes every bit as good as it sounds.  And yes it doesn't have refined sugars or flours in it and oh yes it is vegan AND if you have a gluten intolerance they can be made gluten free, in fact the version I made was gluten free.  The idea for these was inspired by a wedding we went to recently where there were some amazing truffles being served.  But of course they were not vegan, nor refined sugar or flour free so you know what that means?  I had to set out to make my own version and here it is.  They are delicious and super easy!  Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

1/2 cup brown rice flour (or whole wheat, spelt, barley, or oat flour)
1/2 cup oats (gluten free if you have a gluten intolerance)
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 bag or 5 oz chocolate chips, divided (I use Enjoy Life brand- refined sugar, dairy, soy, and nut free)
3 tbsp Earth Balance (melted) or grapeseed oil
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Combine the brown rice flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips in a bowl.  Mix well and set aside.

Melt the Earth Balance so it becomes liquid and combine with the maple syrup and vanilla extract.  Add this mixture to the dry ingredients.  Stir well.

Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and drop small little balls (about 1tsp in size or you can do 1 tbsp in size if you want them to be bigger) onto the parchment paper.  Once you have used up all of the dough place the cookie dough balls in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to firm up.

In the meantime add 1 1/2 cups water to a small sauce pan.  Place a large glass bowl over the top of the saucepan so it rests inside the saucepan.  Make sure that the water is not touching the bowl so that the chocolate won't burn.  Add the remaining chocolate chips to the glass bowl and stir with a spatula until the chocolate melts.

If your cookie dough balls are hard enough you can dip them in the chocolate without them falling apart.  However, mine were not so I just drizzled the chocolate over the top of them until they were completely covered.  Place the truffles back in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up before serving.  Keep the truffles stored in the fridge.  Enjoy!