Kids Kitchen: Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
I was given the challenge this week of creating an awesome cookie recipe that kids would love… which wasn’t really that much of a challenge. But, I decided to push the challenge even further and create a healthy chocolate chip cookie recipe that kids and parents would equally love!
These cookies are gluten-free, processed sugar-free, and can be made butter-free. They work for a paleo diet, as well, if you’re trying out the Whole 30 system. If you’re looking for a vegan option, our Tofu Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delicious option.
For me, the best part about these cookies is that the kids actually love them and want to eat them, and I know that they are getting a big boost of nutrition rather than a mouth full of sugar! (Not that sugar doesn’t happen at our house…)
These healthy chocolate chip cookies are crumbly, buttery, and rich with just a hint of sweetness. They are very soft due to being gluten-free so they would be better suited for an after school snack than as a lunch box addition.
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Kids Kitchen: Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1 cup almond flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2-1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar (or regular white sugar)
- 1/2 cup favourite chocolate chips
Instructions
- Brown the butter in a small saucepan, waiting until there are small brown solids in the melted butter -- these are amazing for flavour!
- Add in the tahini and stir until smooth.
- Allow to cool a bit before adding in remaining ingredients (I just mix it all in the pan -- it saves on dishes!)
- Refrigerate the cookies for at least an hour before adding the chocolate chips.
- Preheat the oven to 350F, and start scooping or rolling out balls of cookie dough
- Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes until pale brown and small cracks appear on the surface of the cookies.
Almond flour can be substituted with regular flour in this recipe, but the almond flour lends the cookie a bit of crunch and compliments the nuttiness of the tahini, without being overpowering. (It also makes these cookies gluten-free!)
Coconut sugar is not as great as maple syrup or honey for nutrition, but it does have some trace nutrients, as well as a low glycemic index, and is a better choice for health than white granulated sugar — but white sugar can be used if that’s what you have on hand.
And, of course, butter. I’m a huge butter advocate and I think it’s one of the healthiest fats that you can incorporate into your diet. A good butter will have loads of vitamins and minerals, as well as help better absorb nutrients from other healthy foods because healthy fat helps digest whole nutrients, like green vegetables.
I used dark chocolate chips because that’s what we prefer, but use whichever good quality chocolate tastes best to you, or feel free to substitute with raisins or nuts.
Reading this after my run was a really BAD idea! I am addicted to anything sweet. The sound amazing!
Thanks, Amy! And amazing that you manage to run with the two kids at home!
Sounds like a great alternative to a regular chocolate chip cookie.
Thanks, Laura! I loved your cookie of the month!
Thanks so much for sharing this terrific recipe. I’m always looking for healthy alternative cookie recipes and will definitely give this a try. Stopping by from #fillthecookiejar. Pinned/shared.
Joanne
Thanks, Joanne! Let me know how it works for you!
I was recently diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity, so I am busy looking for recipes that will keep my body happy! I love the ingredients of this cookie recipe. I will have to give it a try! Thanks for being a part of the Fill The Cookie Jar group!
Thanks, Cynthia! So honoured to be part of the group!
These sound so good and so healthy!
I love when those two things meet 😉
I just found an unopened jar of tahini in the cupboard yesterday! Guess what we’ll be trying?
Let me know how you like it! (Isn’t it funny how those cupboards seem to give us presents at just the right time?)
I have quite a few friends that need gluten free recipes for themselves or their children. This will be a big hit with them!
It’s so important to have those alternatives now! Thanks for passing on my recipe 🙂
This sound awesome and I am sure no one will realize that they are healthy. A great cookie for this month’s theme.
Thanks, Marlys!