With the holidays comes cookies… lot’s of cookies. Holiday parties call for holiday cookie and dessert trays, so for this holiday season, we decided to come up with a simple cookie recipe that is a perfect grain-free option for your cookie trays.
We know that it can be hard to avoid sweet treats around the holidays. It might even be safe to say that “New Years Resolutions” for weight loss are triggered by holiday splurging. There are many ways to fully enjoy the holiday season without completely sabotaging your diet. We view this way of eating, as strictly our way of eating. No budging here, no cheats. This is not a fad diet, or something we stray from when out with friends, at parties, or over the holidays. With that being said, there will be no indulging in holiday treats for us, unless of course we have made them. Okay-enough preaching here. Now on to the recipe!
For these simple thumbprint cookies, we used our classic coconut chocolate chip cookie recipe for the cookie dough, and then filled the dark chocolate ones with melted allergen free chocolate chips, and filled the vanilla cookies with a delicious date mixture. These were fun and simple to make, and especially delicious! As we have said before, although these are a grain-free, naturally sweetened alternative to a traditional cookie, they are still a dessert, so these are best consumed in moderation.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut flour
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 4 omega 3 eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
*for the dark chocolate cookies, add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the batter.
Dark Chocolate filling:
- 1/2 cup enjoy life semi sweet chocolate chips. (you can also use 73% dark cocoa, or as dark of cocoa as you desire.)
Date filling:
- 6 medjool dates, pitted
- 4 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Date Filling Process:
- Place pitted dates in a microwave safe bowl, and pour 3 tablespoons water over top.
- Microwave for 30 seconds, and mash with a fork.
- Add one more tablespoon water, microwave for another 30 seconds, and mash again.
- Add 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, and continue to mash and stir until you have created a sweet, delicious date mixture.
Process:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a medium sized bowl, combine eggs, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt.
- Blend all ingredients with a hand mixer until batter is fully mixed.
- Form balls of dough, about the size of a tablespoon, and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Press thumb into center of the dough.
- Fill the center with filling.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
We made these cookies as a test run for Thanksgiving. They were a huge hit, and we will definitely be making them again for future holiday dinners.
![[Printer-friendly recipe – click here]](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9THDxxm4Xek/TZtcKczJbaI/AAAAAAAABp0/m_kJIbiYoQE/s1600/Thumbprint%2BCookies.jpg){kind=link}
These look awesome! SpunkyCoconut.com has one made with chia seeds. I wonder if there's a way to figure out how to combine the best of both worlds!
Just made both the chocolate and date versions – delicious!
I keep hearing great things about coconut flour, and I already know how great coconut oil is. Perhaps I should search it out and give these a whirl — they're tempting enough!
Cheers,
*heather*
I'm VERY excited to see a peer-reviewed & confirmed delicious cookie that's not made with almond flour. While I love AF, it sits so heavy in my stomach and I don't like cooking with it too often – all that talk of oxidation. I am going home to visit family for the holidays and my dad is THE cookie monster. I'll make these for him and see if he can tell the difference.
I just made the chocolate ones! Yum! I was wondering, if they came out a bit dry, do I reduce cooking time or add more oil? What do you think? Thanks for this great alternative to bring to the family get-togethers.
Hey Mindy –
The coconut flour cookies are always a little bit on the dry side (just the nature of coconut flour cookies in general). Adding more oil will only make the cookies oily, unfortunately. You could try playing with the cooking time by reducing it ever so slightly, but we think the recipe is pretty spot on. These were a hit at our Thanksgiving (seems so long ago!), and were enjoyed by all.
@ CaveGirlEats –
Yes, these are probably a great cookie to make for family! BTW – congrats from both of us on all your recent success in the paleo blogging community. You've had some pretty significant features and guest author spots! Kudos – keep up the good work!!
To everyone else –
Thanks so much for the praise! We're glad you're enjoying this recipe. If you so wish, we'd love to see photos of your cooking endeavors over on our facebook fan page! Its always fun to see how our recipes turn out for others.
Much love
-Hayley and Bill
Oops, didn't address AndreAnna in there. We have not tried making cookies (or anything, for that matter) with Chia seeds. After a little reading, it sounds like they pack quite a nutritious punch – especially delivering the ever-needed Omega 3's. We'll have to pick some up soon to experiment! Thanks for the tip. Anyone wanting to find out more about Chia, or other good edible seeds in general, should check out this writeup at Marks Daily Apple:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/quick-guide-edible-seeds/
-Hayley and Bill
You know, when I ate another cookie after it had cooled, it seemed just right. I agree – your recipe is perfect! Thanks again! – and I'll post a pic on FB.
Oh good! Glad to hear that they turned out as planned. Looking forward to seeing your pic on Facebook!
I made these yesterday but switched the eggs for flax and mixed the chocolate chips into the dough instead of melting them, so it was more like a double chocolate chip cookie. When using flax, of course, the cookies did spread more and needed additional baking time but they tasted great. I plan to make them at our next get together when my sister-in-law (several food allergies) will be here, instead of the flourless peanut butter cookies I usually make.
Hi,
I changed these up a little bit to lower the sugar and make them GAPS compliant. I posted about it on my blog. My girls and I had a great time making them yesterday. A quick easy cookie recipe that kids can really help with. Thanks!
http://lovingourguts.blogspot.com
I just made these for a party tonight and they are UH-MAZING. SO SO SO GOOD!! I bet if I don't tell anyone no one will even know they're paleo/primal. Delicious. Thank you for the wonderful recipe.
I was thinking of making/creating a thumbprint cookie recipe today and what I had formulating in my head was pretty much this! Thanks for doing all the hard work! đŸ˜‰ I can my own jam using honey during the summer, I’ll have to try this recipe later today! Thanks!