Chocolate and roses on Valentine’s Day is so cliché, but homemade gluten-free and dairy-free chewy chocolate cookies? That’s another story. This recipe, from wellness chef Amanda Skrip, uses clean ingredients, like low-glycemic coconut palm sugar and takes only minutes to make. Your friends, family and that cutie in your yoga class will surely be impressed. 

Get the scoop on coconut palm sugar + grab Amanda’s chewy chocolate cookie recipe below:

Coconut palm sugar

Coconut palm sugar is a natural sweetener made from the nectar of the coconut palm tree. It’s low on the glycemic index, meaning it won’t lead to a blood sugar crash and increase sweet cravings the way refined sugars will. It’s natural rich in B-vitamins and minerals like zinc, potassium, and iron. Amanda says you can easily swap it for white or brown sugar at a ratio of 1:1.  

Chewy chocolate cookies

Amanda’s Chewy Chocolate Cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, crispy on the outside and fudgy and cake-like on the inside. You’ll be a coconut convert after the first bite.  

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups almond flour, packed
  • ¾ cup coconut palm sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cacao powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground flax
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup liquid coconut oil
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk almond flour, palm sugar, cacao, flax, baking powder, soda, and salt.  In a small bowl, whisk coconut oil, applesauce, and vanilla.  Add wet ingredients to dry, and stir until evenly mixed.  Add in chocolate chips and stir to combine.

Using a scant tablespoon, form dough into balls on baking sheets.  Bake for 12-14 minutes.  Let cool for 10 minutes.

The finishing touch

Go all out with the Valentine’s Day theme by shaping the cookies into hearts before baking, store them in a cool tin (again, heart-shaped or a shiny, fire red shade) and wrap with a bow. If you’re pressed for time and have lots of loves on your list, give each Valentine 3-4 cookies each. Make it special by wrapping each batch in something that reflects the personality of the gift.