It doesn’t get much easier to make a crisp, chewy and rich treat that’s naturally gluten free for an after school snack that the kids will love. Plus there’s plenty of protein and not a lot of sugar, so they are definitely a healthier treat that still tastes indulgent. Welcome them off the bus with a glass of milk and a few of these Flourless Chocolate Almond Cookies.
Flourless Chocolate Almond Cookies
Dear Bug,
Tomorrow you start Kindergarten. The past five and a half years have just flown by, and the past year since we starting getting ready to move to Maryland has particularly been a blur. You are so big and handsome and smart. Really smart. Like, your daddy and I are smart, but once you have a few more years under your belt, you are going to be outsmarting us. Please try not to do that. We really are looking out for what’s best for you, even when you think we are just trying to get you to do what we want and not letting you do what you want.
You have such a huge heart, but also your mommy’s and daddy’s, emotional, impulsive, reactive nature. While we have learned to control that for the most part, it’s taken us many years and we still slip up sometimes. So in the hands of a five year old, I know it’s a little tough to manage. Your huge heart gets hurt easily, even when nobody is intending to hurt it, and I know you are just reacting to that. When you do make a bad choice and are not happy with the consequences of that choice, you get upset or angry. But once you calm, you always realize that you made a mistake. I know you are learning each and every time this happens. While we all make mistakes, even Mommy and Daddy, as you get older, you will make more and more good choices. I know in that heart of yours, that’s what you want to do.
That huge heart is also a very loving. There is nothing that makes me happier or more proud than seeing you help your brother wash his hands, or share some of your snack with him, or let him play with you even though I know sometimes he messes up how you’ve set up your scenery and characters.
And I also love watching you play, because you are so creative. So many amazing stories live inside your head, and I can’t wait until you can start writing them down for us, because while it’s fun to have you tell us al of these stories, you are going to treasure having them all recorded, as will Daddy and I.
This is going to be a huge year for you and you are going to learn so many things. It is a little scary for Mommy to send you off on the school bus everyday. It’s a crazy world out there. But I’m also so excited for you because there is so much for you to learn and experience. And it all starts with that first step onto the school bus.
So be who you are and become who you have the potential to become. And as my Dad always said to me, just do your best. I can’t ask for anything more than that. I love you!
Love, Mommy
Now you guys, I need a cookie…
These Flourless Chocolate Almond Cookies have tons of chocolaty goodness, and the almond butter makes them tender and rich. Nice and chewy with a crisp exterior and the crunch of almonds, and just sweet enough, these cookies are the perfect combination of flavors and textures. And while they taste totally indulgent, they are filled with healthy ingredients, not a ton of sugar, and no flour at all, making them gluten free, grain free, and dairy free. You could even sub in coconut sugar to make them paleo. Just what you need when you are craving sweet comfort food, but don’t want to do major damage to the waistline, or don’t want to overload your kids with sugar, so that they don’t crash before they’ve made it through the school day or finished their homework.
Now pass me another…
Any advice for a new Kindergarten mom?
I hope you enjoy these flourless chocolate almond cookies!
Recipe adapted from It’s Yummi.
Flourless Chocolate Almond Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup creamy almond butter
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed (coconut sugar for paleo)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment.
2. In a medium bowl, lightly beat the egg. Add the almond butter, brown sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and vanilla, and mix until thoroughly combined. Fold in the chopped almonds.
3. Form balls with about 2 tablespoons of dough, place about six or seven on each baking sheet, a couple of inches apart, and press down to form thick disks.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until set but still slightly soft to the touch.
5. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Here’s some more flourless (so naturally gluten free) cookies for you…
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- Monster Trail Mix Cookies
- Flourless Fluffernutter Thumbprint Cookies
- Flourless White Chocolate Cranberry Cashew Oatmeal Cookies
Plus a few from my friends…
- Healthy Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
- Copycat Starbucks Flourless Chewy Chocolate Cookies from A Dash of Sanity
- Paleo Lemon Macaroons from Running to the Kitchen
Want to see lots more yummy food from me and my friends, and cute pictures of my kids?
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small percentage from any purchases you may make if you click on them. These companies have not contacted me. I use the stuff because I love it.
Brianne, can I totally steal the beginning of the letter to your son and reword it to fit my 1st grade daughter? She is so stubborn, smart, little and big at the same time that it kills me! I just want to write it to her.
Haha, totally! What is with these kids?! 🙂
these cookies look fantastic-so addictive!
These look wonderful! I love a good chocolate cookie and one without flour is bonus in my book. What a sweet letter to your boy. Good luck with the transition to big time school. Four of my six have done it so far. Kindergarten is always the best year because there isn’t a whole lot of pressure. Stopping by from Whimsy Wednesday. Pinning!
I hope your kids enjoy these cookies! Thanks!
Where’s the recipe?
Hi Jane! I apologize for the inconvenience. There was a glitch that caused the recipe to be removed from the post, but I’ve added it back into the post now. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Thanks so much. All ingredients that I use – tasty and healthy – and also permissible for passover!! I just pinned this recipe too. so it’s not going anywhere!
Jane recently posted…What’s Your Morbid Hobby?
I’m so happy to hear that you found a recipe to enjoy during Passover, Jane!