Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Hey everyone, I hope you're having a great week!

Peanut butter and chocolate are quite possibly the best pairing ever. They also have the ability to make everything better.

Today I have a treat for you. A gluten free cookie treat that is.

These were inspired by a healthy treat I picked up at a little place called the Farmer's Daughter in Huntsville, Ontario last week. I dropped into the cafe while on my way to Algonquin Park for some great day hiking. I really love going up there to hike and the weather was perfect. We covered about 5.6 km of moderately difficult hiking - the mosquitos were killer! This was the scenic view from the halfway point of the trail.

Just as we stopped a chippy (what I call chipmunks) came right up to me and touched my shoe. We sat down and took out those amazing peanut butter cookies that had chunks of chocolate and peanuts throughout, and tossed the chippy's some peanuts and crumbs. They certainly loved them!

I'm looking forward to doing the Centennial Ridges trail next time, which needs a full day to complete. It's about 11 km in length and is very demanding.

Before we get back to those cookies I have to share a few more photo's I snapped while hiking through the woods.

Now back to that recipe!

These delicious peanut butter cookies are sweetended with unrefined sugar; I used coconut sugar. I would like to try making them with pure maple syrup instead for an even more natural healthy treat, but these flourless cookies are pretty healthy as far as cookies go. They're also very easy to make!

Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

by Jennifer Trennum

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Keywords: bake dessert nut butter snack gluten-free grain-free low-carb soy-free peanut butter chocolate cookie

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Ingredients (6 large or 12 smaller cookies)

• 1 cup natural peanut butter
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar, muscovado sugar or sucanat
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 4 oz. chocolate chunks
• 1/4 cup unsalted peanuts

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350˚ degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper (if you don't have parchment paper, lightly grease the baking sheets).

In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment stir together first 5 ingredients. Stir in chocolate and peanuts until they are evenly combined.

Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonful (or form into 6 - 12 cookies) onto your prepared baking sheets. Bake the cookies until they're barely set and just beginning to turn golden, about 10-12 minutes. They will be soft when you remove them from the oven but they will set-up as they cool. Let them cool completely on the pans.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Storage suggestions: These cookies keep well in an air-tight container for a 2-3 days. Freeze for longer-term storage.

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Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Would it surprise you to know that having a chocolate treat can actually be good for you?!

Why yes, it is possible!!!

We are talking real-deal chocolate treat hear people; Homemade Chocolate Macaroons.

This recipe is packed with nutrition from raw cacao powder and is sweetened with unrefined sucanat. You could also use coconut sugar, which has a lower glycemic index. In fact I've made these with both and they turned out perfectly the same.

Please do yourself a favour and get yourself some raw chocolate cacao powder. It's out of this world chocolatey and oh-so-good! Cacao is actually an unprocessed form of chocolate. It has a wealth of antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals, such as:

• Magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, copper, and manganese
• Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, E
• Flavonoids that have antioxidant properties
• Essential heart-healthy fat: oleic acid a monounsaturated fat
• Protein and fiber

How's that for a superfood packed with nutrients? Plus, there are no trans-fats or cholesterol.

The nutrients found in raw cacao have been linked to a number of health benefits. It can support a healthy heart by lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, and lowering LDL cholesterol. So now you can have your chocolate and eat it too.

This is quite possibly one of the easiest dessert recipes you'll ever make. Score! 

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

by Jennifer Trennum

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Keywords: bake dessert gluten-free grain-free nut-free soy-free cacao powder coconut chocolate cookie

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Ingredients (makes 9-12 cookies)

• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chunks
• 2 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup raw cacao powder, or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar, or sucanat
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 3 large egg whites
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Heat oven to 325˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Bring a small saucepan of water to a simmer. Place chocolate chunks in a small bowl heat-proof bowl, and set over saucepan. Stir until chocolate is melted, and set aside to cool.

In a large bowl or stand mixer with paddle attachment, stir together the coconut, cacao powder, sugar, and sea salt. Beat in the egg whites and vanilla until incorporated. Stir in cooled chocolate and mix until everything is well combined.

Using a large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, drop about 2.5 Tablespoons of the batter onto prepared baking sheet - space at least 2 inches apart.

Bake for 15 minutes or until just set. They will take on a shiny look. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheets to let the macaroons firm up. Store in a sealed container. These macaroons do very well in the freezer, where they will keep for up to 2 months.

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