Chewy Gingerbread Cookies (Paleo and Vegan)

December 3, 2015

Chewy Gingerbread Cookies (Paleo and Vegan)


For many in America Christmas season begins as soon as the turkey, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie have digested.
Often, the very moment our self-induced food comas begin to subside, we grab our coats to make our way to a few big box stores or to haul the big boxes of Christmas decorations in from the garage.


Chewy Gingerbread Cookies (Paleo and Vegan)



I know I said it last year but I'll say it again: I refuse to acknowledge anything Christmas related until Thanksgiving is over.
I don’t pull out Christmas movies, Christmas CDs (or better yet, Christmas-themed playlist on Spotify) or Christmas decorations until then.
Why?
No, I’m not a Grinch whose heart needs to grow, nor Scrooge who needs to be led by a ghost to the side of good.
No way. I love Christmas, it’s the best time of the year. For real.
But I also love that I have to wait for it. Long for it.
There’s no Rudolph or Frosty in July, “Elf” is meant to be watched in December (and only in December), and you just can’t light up the home in bright colours in the summer. [And btw people, there is such a thing as over decorating your house. 1 billion Christmas lights is not beautiful, it’s painful to look at.]

Chewy Gingerbread Cookies (Paleo and Vegan)


But since it’s already December and Thanksgiving is behind us, let’s bake some awesomely tasting Chewy Gingerbread Cookies that anyone will love. Shall we?
And when I say anyone, I mean it: man, woman, boy, girl, caveman, vegan, human, beast, Grinch, Santa, Ghost of Christmas Past, etc. ANYONE.
These are some chewy, sturdy cookies with a spicy kick that lingers, a subtle sweetness that comes from the maple syrup that is harmonized by a sugary finish.
These are the best gingerbread cookies you’ll ever taste and so simple to make too. Seriously, it takes little over 15 minutes to get your first batch so don’t be put off by lack of time!

Chewy Gingerbread Cookies (Paleo and Vegan)


Chewy Gingerbread Cookies (Paleo and Vegan)                                                                     Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Makes 10 cookies

1 cup almond meal (I used Bob’s Red Mill)
1 tablespoon coconut sugar (or regular brown sugar)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon fine grain salt
3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and place a rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a bowl mix together almond meal, sugar, spices, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl whisk melted coconut oil, molasses, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients until dough forms.
Scoop one tablespoon of mixture, drop it onto the lined baking sheet and press down to form into cookie shapes.
Bake for 10 minutes.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet (without touching) for 15 minutes, then with the help of a spatula place cookies onto a rack and let cool completely.
Store in an airtight container up to a week.

Nutrition facts

One cookie yields 115 calories, 10 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbs, and 2 grams of protein.

30 comments:

  1. It is settled, I'm making these today. They look amazing!

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    1. Hi Lauren, did you make these? Just looking for a real review. Thanks!

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  2. I've been making Christmas cookies this week, but they're not this healthy so I can't wait to try these out on the weekend!!!

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  3. Hello and question. What did you sprinkle on top of the cookies? Just after baking or when completely cooled?
    Thank you.

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  4. These look amazing Mike, can I include a link in my christmas baking roundup?

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  5. These look amazing! So obsessed with the chewy texture and how they're sparkling with sugar! (Is that granulated sugar that you put on before baking or is that powdered sugar?) Pinning :)

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  6. I've been thinking about making a healthy(ish) seasonal dessert and this exactly fits the bill. Excited to make them! Thanks!

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  7. Gingerbread makes Christmas season official! Can I swap almond meal for whole wheat flour? I adore your recipes and love putting my own twist on them, too!!

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  8. I wonder what's your secret,Mike?
    Another gorgeous sweet recipe, but yet healthy and light.
    Christmas sans regret, thanks for this!

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  9. Dude, I feel you. I believe in celebrating each holiday, and not the next, until the first one is over. Loving these cookies! The chewy factor is where it is at! Happy holidays, Mike!

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  10. Yup, waiting for somethings definitely makes them more endearing - Christmas being one of them!
    But - waiting for you to mail me a batch of these awesmazing cookies is not sure awesmazing or endearing! :)
    Happy Friday Mike!

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  11. It is definitely nice to wait for the number one on calendar. So excited for Christmas, the best time of the year.
    These cookies definitely look good to be in a cookie box. Yum.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  12. Hi Mike, these cookies look amazing and would make perfect holiday gifts.

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  13. They are all great!Want to try them all.


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  18. Chewy Gingerbread Cookies hooray they look fab!!!Best recipe to treat family and guest!All I want for Christmas is sweets!!!!Yummi!
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  19. Yummy! I love spicey cookies :)

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  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. Your first few lines were perfect! Found myself chuckling how true it is, right?
    I’m with you, I hate when people overlap or hurry a holiday for the next. One at a time people!
    These Chewy Gingerbread Cookies are looking mighty tasty and seeing as I live with a gingerbread cookie lover this might have to happen here soon. #WolfPackBakers

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    Lovely post! The photos are amazing!

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  23. Gingerbread is totally getting it's 15 minutes of fame right now! ;)

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  24. Hi Y'all - have any of you made these & what's your thoughts on them? Just wanting a real review, please.

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  25. I just made these and loved them! The dough just tasted a little salty to me so I think they could do with less or no salt (unless I accidentally added too much). I doubled the recipe and since the dough tasted salty I tripled the recipe and used no salt in the third batch (which tasted great) so when I mixed it in it balanced it out. I love the taste and texture of these and that they're vegan, paleo and low on sweetener!

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  26. I have made these a number of times and no one can tell they are gluten free/vegan/paleo! Always a huge hit and I decided I am bringing them to a Christmas party this weekend. Thanks so much for a great recipe.

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