Cookies get a real bad rep.
Case and point: the number one character associated with cookies is a monster. A Cookie Monster. And following the Cookie Monster is probably Santa Claus and, while I appreciate everything he does for all the good boys and girls of the world, his waist line screams “type 2 diabetes” and frankly, there’s probably a reason you only see him dressed in layers.
I’m really not sure why cookies are made out to be some sort of conniving temptress. Your husband is not going to leave you for your cookies if you slip up and let one into your cupboard. You’re not going to wake up with a horse’s head in your sheets after a night of baking. At some point in history, someone must have gone on a bad date with cookies and targeted their reputation as revenge because there’s no other explanation for our war against cookies. It’s time we question cookie stigma. Because look man, cookies are great. Cookies do a lot of great things for society. Some of my best friends are cookies.
When I started my reverse diet to heal all the damage that I’ve done to my metabolism over the years, cookies were a key staple to keep my calories up in a controlled but ENJOYABLE way (remember how food is enjoyable? Just double checking).
Now of course I didn’t just go ham on Oreos and Biscoffs (at least… not every day…). High sugar and high carb cookies (are great but) leave me feeling low energy and unsatisfied. And if any of you have any experience with long term restriction, you know the feeling of teetering on the cliff’s edge between eating for satisfaction and binge eating. I also just don’t have time in my day to be continually going back to the snacks fridge to refuel a grumbly stomach! What I really needed was a high-quality snack that I looked forward to eating, with satisfying healthy fats and much needed nutrients.
Enter protein-powered, peanut-packed, chocolate-topped, paleo, keto-friendly, gluten-free and grain-free Peanut Butter Blossoms.
I live for peanut butter. I think the only thing I prefer to peanut butter is peanut butter paired with chocolate. (And maybe my husband, C.) So when I discovered peanut powder was a thing, let me tell ya, I was SHOOK. Guys- a half cup of powdered peanuts has over TWENTY-ONE grams of protein. Just more proof that mother nature loves us and wants us to be happy.
So, inspired by my powdery peanut friends, these cookies were born. At a whopping 4 g net carbs, 6 g fat and 4 g of protein, these cookies are a great way to sneak in a satisfying snack between meetings, or a decedent treat at the end of the day. You don’t have to worry about blood sugar swings, because the high fat and low sugar levels provide stable energy to keep you feeling great all day (and night) long. It’s all the comforts of the Christmas-time classics without the looming sugary crash.
Without further ado, I give to you, Grit’s PB Blossoms.
One-Bowl Healthy Peanut Butter Blossoms (Paleo, Keto-friendly, Gluten-free and Grain-free)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup powdered peanuts (Powdered peanut butter works too!)
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/8 cup coconut flour
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar (can sub for honey but it does add a honey flavor to the cookie)
- 1 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp baking soda
- chocolate of choice for topping (my favorite is Hu Kitchen’s Vegan Paleo Dark Chocolate Bar)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F and line or grease your cookie sheet.
- Combine the powdered peanuts, natural peanut butter, coconut flour, egg, coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, vanilla, and baking soda in a medium sized bowl. Mix together until evenly combined.
- Place approximately 1 tbsp balls of dough onto cookie sheet. Pat the balls down slightly with your hand before placing in the oven. The cookies DO NOT spread, so make sure you have the height to width ratio that you want before you start baking them 🙂
- Bake for 11-15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and immediately press your chocolate of choice onto the cookie. Let the chocolate melt into place before (eating all the cookies) storing the cookies in the refrigerator.