Can cookies be Healthy?

 

 

 

I am a big fan of moderation.  If you want the cookie, well then eat the cookie.  But what if you want a cookie every single day? If that is the case then it might be helpful to have a healthier alternative.

Something that:

• Can help take the edge off a craving.
• Something bite-sized.
• With a little healthy fat.
• And a little punch of protein.

These tasty morsels fit the bill.

 

 

Keep in mind, these cookies are tiny. That is by design.  The goal was something to help take the edge off those cookie cravings.  Not a full-on indulgence.  Got make the real thing for that.

The only knock on these tender morsels, is they do not keep. I do not advise doubling the recipe and making a big batch. Since they are made with protein powder they tend to dry out after about 24 hours.

These babies are tender and cake-like straight out of the oven.

Now I made these in the food processor, but you do not have to.  A hand mixer will work just fine.  And if you want to skip your arm workout this week, you can probably stir by hand even.

However, have you ever baked with a four-year-old? If so, then you know the drama of when they can’t keep the hand mixer deep enough in the bowl and you find yourself scraping the dough off the ceiling.  (true story!) The food processor contains the mess for you! (So if you happen to be cooking with kids, give it a try.  It helps with clean up! And they love pressing the button. )

So, can cookies they be healthy?  Well… let’s just go for healthier.  If the cookies never even make it into the oven and you eat the whole bowl of dough while standing in your kitchen, well then no.  You would have been better off eating ONE the real thing.

But just one tidbit has only 83 calories with 4 grams of protein.  If you just need a little something then these guys are for you!

Alright, enough chatter lets get to it.

 

Healthier Vegan, Gluten Free Mini chocolate chip cookies

 

¼ cup almond flour

2 Tb Brown Rice Flour

2 Tb coconut oil, melted

2 Tb honey

2 tsp natural peanut butter

1/2 cup Garden of Life Vegan Vanilla protein powder

1 tsp baking soda

¼ unsweetened cashew milk (or milk of choice)

2 Tb mini chocolate chips (I used Enjoy life Vegan chips)

 

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Line baking sheet with parchment
• Add all ingredients Except the chocolate chips to the bowl of the processor.
• Mix until thoroughly mixed.
• Fold in mini chocolate chips (I imagine pecans or walnuts would be great too!),
• Scoop out one heaping tablespoon and roll into a ball. The dough will not be normal cookie dough. You will have to form it into a ball.
• Then gently press into the middle to make a cookie like shape.
• Bake for 6-8 minutes until the edges are just set. They won’t look done.
• Move to a cooling rack to cool.
• Enjoy!

**to make the double chocolate ones add 2 Tb Cacao powder.  You may need a splash of more milk.

Makes 12 bite-sized cookies.

Each cookie has 83 calories 5 grams fat, 7 grams carbs, 4 grams protein