Indulge in a Sweet Treat without the Guilt
Who doesn’t love a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven? Unfortunately, most store-bought cookies are loaded with preservatives, unhealthy fats, and refined sugars that leave you feeling sluggish and unsatisfied. But fear not, because we have the perfect solution – whole foods chocolate chip cookies! Made with wholesome ingredients like almond flour and coconut oil, these cookies are delicious, nutritious, and easy to make. Plus, they’re gluten-free and vegan-friendly, so everyone can enjoy them. So, let’s get baking and satisfy our sweet tooth in a healthy way!
Recipe #1: Classic Whole Foods Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix the melted coconut oil, flax egg, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Use a cookie scoop or spoon to form the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 138
- Total Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 47mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 10g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 7g
- Protein: 2g
Cooking Time:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop or spoon
Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy these cookies warm out of the oven with a glass of almond milk, or pack them in your lunchbox for a midday treat.
Variations:
- Swap the dark chocolate chips for milk chocolate or white chocolate chips.
- Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts, such as pecans or almonds.
- Mix in 1/2 cup dried fruit, such as cranberries or raisins.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies for an extra decadent touch.
Substitutions:
- Instead of almond flour, you can use any other nut flour, such as cashew or hazelnut.
- If you don’t have coconut sugar, you can use brown sugar or maple syrup instead.
- Use a chia egg instead of a flax egg for a different source of omega-3s.
- Substitute the coconut oil for avocado oil, ghee, or butter if you’re not vegan.
Storage:
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- Make sure your coconut oil is melted but not hot, or it will cook the flax egg.
- Don’t overmix the dough, or the cookies will come out tough.
- If you want your cookies to be thinner and crisper, press them down slightly before baking.
- For an extra boost of protein, add 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder to the dough.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I use regular flour instead of almond flour?
A: No, regular flour will not work in this recipe as it contains gluten. You can try using a gluten-free flour blend, but the texture and taste may be different.
Q: Can I use vegetable oil instead of coconut oil?
A: Yes, you can use any neutral-tasting oil in place of coconut oil. However, keep in mind that it may affect the flavor of the cookies.
Recipe #2: Double Chocolate Whole Foods Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water)
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, coconut sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix the melted coconut oil, flax egg, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Use a cookie scoop or spoon to form the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are set.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 153
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 47mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 10g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 3g
Cooking Time:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop or spoon
Serving Suggestions:
These cookies are perfect for satisfying a chocolate craving. Enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea, or serve them as a dessert with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream.
Variations:
- Swap the dark chocolate chips for white chocolate chips or chopped nuts.
- Add