Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

For me, having healthy snacks to fill my “sweet tooth” is essential to living joyfully.  Honestly! I did an unexpected experiment with this during the time my daughter and I were planning for her wedding.  Not surprisingly, because of all the extra responsibilities on my plate at the time, my “freezer stock” of healthy go to snacks became depleted, and I did not have the energy to bake and refill.  During those 2 weeks of “no healthy treats in the freezer” I started to crave the old sugar filled "go to’s."  I wanted to indulge in eating anything that had sugar. The store bought cookies, the ice cream, the soft pretzels, the sugar filled juices, etc, all foods I truly hadn’t even wanted for almost 2 years, in such a short time, I was craving. I was amazed at how quickly my body and mind reverted back to the “want” of those sugar laden foods.  It proved to me that sugar really is an addiction.  Breakable?, Absolutely, but an addiction that needs to be restrained to maintain. It proved to me that having easily accessible healthy options readily available was pertinent for me to maintain the healthy eating habits I embrace. 

Below I am sharing with you one of my absolute favorite "go to" healthy cookies, Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies. I originally came across this recipe on the web site, Beyond Diet.  I modified it a tad to accommodate my taste buds and preferences. I almost always make a double batch, since my family has discovered they love them too.  I let them cool to room temperature and then immediately put them in an air tight freezer container and store them in the freezer.  I actually prefer them cold and frozen.    They are delicious, they are nutritious, and well, you just have to try them. 

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cook Time: 10 min
Servings: 24
Gluten-free chocolate chip cookies with a taste of coconut!

Ingredients

2 c. almond flour, organic
1/4 tsp. sea salt, unrefined and pure
1/4 tsp. baking soda, pure
6 tbs. coconut oil, raw, extra-virgin, organic
1/4 c. honey, raw, unfiltered, organic (maple syrup works too)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, organic
2T. Water
1/2 c. chocolate chips, dark, 70%, raw, organic or cacao nibs
1/2 c. coconut, unsweetened & organic (I prefer the large flakes), but shredded works just fine too.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together almond flour, sea salt, and baking soda.

In a small bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, honey, water and vanilla extract.

Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until combined.

Fold in chocolate chips and shredded coconut.

Scoop out quarter-sized balls and place on baking sheet. Using the back of a fork, gently press down on the scoops of cookie dough so they form discs.

Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly golden brown around the edges.

Enjoy!