Chocolate Chip Almond Flour Cookies (Vegan, Gluten Free, Diabetic Friendly)

Thanks again to Feasting on Fruit for your incredible creativity. These cookies are sweet, soft, and date-I-say-it . . . "healthy." [You see what I did there?] The cookie base is sweetened with medjool dates. I played around with the recipe too and discovered that you don't even need chocolate chips. You can leave them out completely or substitute raisins.

P.S. I also tried making these without baking soda -- the recipe still works, but the cookies end up looking more like meat patties than cookies. Stick to using the baking soda!

Give these a try and let me know how you like them!

Ingredients:

12 pitted medjool dates
2/3 cup water
3 cups almond flour
1/2 cup peanut butter (you can find numerous brands without sugar)
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips (or sub raisins)

Instructions:

Following these instructions exactly will provide the best results.

1. In a blender, blend the medjool dates with the water until you have a smooth date paste.
2. In a separate bowl, stir the date paste, almond flour, peanut butter, baking soda, vanilla extract, and salt until well mixed.
3. Stir in the chocolate chips.
4. Scoop out a heaping tablespoon worth of dough and roll into a ball. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press down to flatten.
5. Repeat with the remaining dough. Leave about 1/2 inch to 1 inch between the cookies.
6. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees. The cookies will just start to turn golden brown.
7. Let the cookies cool for at least 10 minutes before eating!
8. Enjoy!

#halahbakes

Fudge Stuffed Cookie Bars

Okay. So this recipe is not healthy in any way, but it is so darn delicious, it must be posted! These soft, fudgy, and gooey bars will rock your world. Seriously. Bake these for your friends and family this winter, dunk them in milk, and let me know your thoughts! Special thanks to Back for Seconds for the inspiration behind this epic recipe.

Ingredients:

For the cookie:
1 cup (2 sticks) of softened unsalted butter
2/3 cups brown sugar
2/3 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 and 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup chocolate chips

For the fudge filling:
1 14 oz can of condensed milk
2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions:

Following these instructions exactly will provide the best results.

1. With a hand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars in a large bowl until they are light and creamy.
2. Mix in the eggs, vanilla, salt, and baking soda until thoroughly mixed.
3. Sift the flour and stir until combined.
4. Stir in the chocolate chips.
5. In a greased 9x13 pan (or in a pan with parchment paper), press 1/2 of the dough into the bottom of the pan. Set the other half of the dough aside.
6. Melt the condensed milk and chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until melted and smooth. Mix after each 30 second interval.
7. Pour the warm fudge over the cookie dough in the 9x13 pan. Make sure the fudge is evenly spread.
8. Take the remaining 1/2 of the cookie dough and gently and evenly spread the cookie dough over the fudge. This is easiest with your hands and a spatula / butter knife. You are done when you can no longer seen any of the fudge filling.
9. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown at 350 degrees.
10. Cool the cookie bars on the counter and then chill the bars for at least 2 hours in a refrigerator before cutting into squares.
11. Enjoy! Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge.

#halahbakes

White Chip Chocolate Cookies

These cookies are a modification of the chewy, soft, and delectable Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. I personally think these are more aesthetically beautiful because the white chocolate chips add a pop of color. These cookies are tasty, delicious, and incredibly easy to make. Give them a try! 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup melted butter

3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup flour
Pinch of salt
1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions:

Following these instructions exactly will provide the best results.

1. Beat egg, vanilla extract, and sugar together. Add melted butter (warm, but not hot).

2. Add flour, salt, baking soda, and cocoa powder. Mix thoroughly.

3. Fold in white chocolate chips.

4. Roll a heaping tablespoon of dough into a ball and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten the ball slightly so that the cookie forms a flattened circle shape. Repeat until all dough is used.

5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

6. Cool cookies completely and enjoy!

#halahbakes