February 2018 • A Sweet Pea Chef

Enjoy these 4 different ways to make irresistible protein paleo cookies using paleo baking flour for some cookie baking magic. This post is sponsored by Bob's Red Mill. I think we all can agree there's something special about cookies. Whether it's because they're sweet and handheld or they remind us of our youth, enjoying a freshly baked cookie is one of life's great treasures. BUT what about maintaining a healthy lifestyle? Is it possible to eat cookies and still follow the "rules" so you don't fall off the wagon? YES! The best way, I've found, to enjoy your healthy lifestyle is to have these tasty treats built in -- whether they're sweet or savory. Just because you're going to enjoy a sweet treat doesn't mean you don't want to use the best ingredients you can, right? Part of eating well is to choose the very best ingredients so you take care of your body and your tastebuds. And, yes, I totally just explained all of this so I could introduce to you 4 very amazing, very sweet-tastic paleo cookies to do just that: enjoy! How to Make Paleo Cookies You might be surprised at how easy it is to make paleo cookies. Like clean eating, paleo recipes don’t allow for any processed ingredients. That means no refined sugar or flour. The main difference between clean eating and paleo, however, is that paleo doesn’t allow for any grains, either. So, if a clean eating recipe calls for whole wheat pastry flour, for example, that would work for a paleo recipe. Instead of grains in cookies and baked goods, paleo recipes call for any of the following substitutions: Almond flour Chickpea flour Tapioca starch Cassava flour Coconut flour Hazelnut flour Remembering which flours to use and what amount of liquid ratios can get a little tricky, which is why I like using Bob’s Red Mill paleo baking flour because it’s an awesome blend of several paleo flours and makes paleo baking super easy. Are Paleo Cookies Healthy? Paleo cookies are definitely a healthy option if you’re trying to follow a clean eating lifestyle and you’d like to avoid processed foods. Paleo takes clean eating a step further by removing any grains, meaning no oats or wheat, which can be necessary for those looking to avoid gluten, too. How to Add Protein to Paleo Cookies As you might imagine, not many protein powders would be considered paleo since they are often quite processed and contain artificial ingredients. While some do exist, there are other options for how to add protein to paleo cookies that aren’t protein powder. Here are some of the options: Chia seeds Nut butter Eggs Hemp seeds Chlorella My favorite ways to include protein into paleo cookies is to use chia seeds, eggs, and nut butters - particularly peanut butter and almond butter, all of which are used in the recipes below. Adding protein to cookies is a great way to make them a well-balanced sweet treat you can feel good about. Now, onto the cookies! 1. Peanut Butter Paleo Cookies Peanut Butter Paleo Cookies You're gonna love these four ingredient peanut butter paleo cookies! 1 cup creamy peanut butter2/3 cup coconut sugar1/2 cup Bob’s Red Mill paleo baking flour2 eggs Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F and lining a cookie sheet with parchment paper and then set it aside.In a large bowl, add peanut butter, coconut sugar, Bob’s Red Mill paleo flour, and a couple eggs.Stir together until fully incorporated.Now, scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the batter and roll it into a ball using your hands. You may need to wet your hands with a few drops of water to keep the batter from sticking.Flatten the ball between your palms and then place on the prepared cookie sheet.Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving space in between the cookies on the baking sheet.Using a fork, press down gently on each cookie to create criss-cross marks. If the fork sticks, you can dip it in water as necessary.Transfer the cookie sheet into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies just slightly start to turn brown.Remove from the oven and let sit for a couple minutes to set before moving to a cooling rack to cool completely. 2. Chia Seed Lemon Paleo Cookies Chia Seed Lemon Paleo Cookies These Chia Seed Lemon Paleo Cookies are chewy, lemony, and full of tart goodness. 1 1/2 cups Bob’s Red Mill paleo baking flour2 tbsp chia seeds2 tbsp lemon zest ((about 1 medium lemon))1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice ((about 1 medium lemon))1 tbsp coconut oil, (melted and cooled)2 eggs1 tsp pure vanilla extract1/2 cup pure maple syrup Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.In a large bowl, add our Bob’s Red Mill paleo baking flour, lemon juice, lemon zest, chia seeds, coconut oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and pure maple syrup. Stir together until fully incorporated.Now, scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the batter and transfer to the cookie sheet.Shape the dough into a round cookie, using water to help keep it from sticking to your hands, as needed.Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving space in between the cookies on the baking sheet.Place the cookie sheet into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies just slightly start to turn brown.Remove from the oven and let sit for a couple minutes to set before moving to a cooling rack to cool completely. 3. Chocolate Chunk Paleo Cookies Chocolate Chunk Paleo Cookies These chocolate chunk paleo cookies are rich and loaded with chocolate and protein. 1 cup creamy almond butter1/2 pure maple syrup2 tbsp. cocoa powder1/2 cup Bob’s Red Mill paleo baking flour1 tbsp coconut oil, (melted and cooled)2 eggs1/2 cup dark chocolate morsels Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.In a large bowl, add the almond butter, cocoa powder, Bob’s Red Mill paleo baking flour, pure maple syrup, coconut oil, and eggs.Stir together until fully incorporated, then add in the dark chocolate chunks or chips, and fold into the batter.Now, scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the batter and transfer to the cookie sheet.Shape the dough into a cookie, using water to help keep it from sticking to your hands, as needed.Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving space in between the cookies on the baking sheet.Place the cookie sheet into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies just slightly start to turn brown.Remove from the oven and let sit for a couple minutes to set before moving to a cooling rack to cool completely. 4. No Oatmeal Oatmeal Paleo Cookies No Oatmeal Oatmeal Raisin Paleo Cookies These Oatmeal Raisin Paleo Cookies contain no oats but taste just like a real oatmeal raisin cookie! 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill paleo baking flour1/4 tsp sea salt11/2 tsp ground cinnamon2 eggs1/2 cup pure maple syrup1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract1/2 cup raisins Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.In a large bowl, add our Bob’s Red Mill paleo baking flour, sea salt, ground cinnamon, eggs, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract, and stir to combine.Stir together until fully incorporated, then add in the raisins, and fold into the batter.Now, scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the batter and transfer to the cookie sheet.Shape the dough into a round cookie, using water to help keep it from sticking to your hands, as needed.Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving space in between the cookies on the baking sheet.Place the cookie sheet into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies just slightly start to turn brown.Remove from the oven and let sit for a couple minutes to set before moving to a cooling rack to cool completely. So the big questions is which paleo cookie would YOU choose? 1. Peanut Butter 2. Chia Seed Lemon 3. Chocolate Chunk 4. No-Oatmeal Oatmeal Raisin Secret hidden answer: 5: ALL of them! 🙋 4 Irresistible Paleo Cookies This post is sponsored by Bob's Red Mill. This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.