Name: Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Footballs
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup blanched almond flour; 1/2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup vegan butter; 1/2 cup white sugar; 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, divided; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/8 cup white icing

These Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Footballs are a fun no-bake dessert I like to make for game day, parties, or anytime I want a festive chocolate treat. They are shaped like little footballs, coated in melted chocolate, and finished with simple white icing laces. I love that they are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and easy to prepare without turning on the oven.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1/2 cup blanched almond flour

1/2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour

1/2 cup vegan butter

1/2 cup white sugar

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, divided

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 cup white icing

Directions

I start by beating the vegan butter, vanilla, and sugar together in a mixing bowl until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

In a separate bowl, I combine the almond flour, gluten-free all-purpose flour, and baking soda. I gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until everything is fully incorporated.

Next, I stir in 1 cup of the chocolate chips so they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough. I line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper, then roll the dough into small portions. I shape each piece into a football by forming an oval and gently narrowing both ends.

I place the shaped footballs on the prepared tray and chill them in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. While they chill, I melt the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips in the microwave or over a double boiler, stirring until smooth.

I remove the footballs from the refrigerator and spoon the melted chocolate over each one until fully coated. Then I transfer the tray to the freezer for 30 minutes so the chocolate can set.

Once the coating is firm, I trim away any excess chocolate if needed. I finish by piping or drawing football laces on top with white icing, then I serve and enjoy.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 12 servings.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

Total time: 20 minutes

Chilling/freezing time: about 35 minutes

Calories: about 244 kcal per serving

Variations

I like to switch these up by using mini chocolate chips in the dough for smaller bursts of chocolate. I can also add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.

For a different flavor, I sometimes use dark chocolate chips for the coating. I can also decorate the tops with colored icing to match a team theme or party colors.

Storage/Reheating

I store these cookie dough footballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I like to place parchment paper between layers so the chocolate coating stays neat.

For longer storage, I freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. I let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving so the cookie dough softens slightly.

I do not reheat these because they are a no-bake chilled dessert.

FAQs

Can I make these cookie dough footballs ahead of time?

Yes, I like making them ahead because they chill well and hold their shape. I store them in the refrigerator until I am ready to serve.

Are these cookie dough footballs gluten-free?

Yes, I make them with almond flour and gluten-free all-purpose flour, so they are gluten-free when I use certified gluten-free ingredients.

Are they dairy-free and vegan?

Yes, I use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips to keep the recipe dairy-free and vegan.

Can I use regular butter instead of vegan butter?

Yes, I can use regular butter if I do not need the recipe to be dairy-free or vegan.

Do I need to bake the flour first?

Since this is a no-bake cookie dough recipe, I prefer using heat-treated gluten-free flour for food safety. Almond flour is commonly used in no-bake treats, but I still like checking ingredient labels and using products that are safe for raw-style desserts.

Conclusion

These Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Footballs are a festive, no-bake treat I love making for game day. They are sweet, chocolatey, easy to decorate, and perfect for sharing with a crowd.

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