Being Supportive via Paleo Cookies

Every so often when on a diet one needs a special treat.  Often that treat is something completely off the diet...but with the Paleo diet, it seems as though one can alter things to make a diet friendly treat...such as my newest creation...a Paleo cookie...And let me tell you they are soft and chewy and oh so chocolaty...just what a girl needs some days.  I think they taste like a mix between a macaroon and a chocolate crinkle cookie.  It took a few batches to make them come out just right...poor me and my test subjects...but these are kiddo begged for so I think I'm on the right track.

1 1/4 cups ground nuts (I used almonds and sunflower seeds.  Almond flour works too but gives a different texture)
2 TBS olive oil
4 TBS honey
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut shreds

Finely grind the nuts...be very careful not to make a nut butter...almond grinds leftover from making almond milk are great for this.  Add in all the ingredients and mix well. A little trick...use the same measuring spoon for the oil first then the honey, that way the honey doesn't stick to the spoon.  Drop by the teaspoon full onto a lined baking sheet and flatten (I made balls and then flattened them to make nice little circles)  If you do not smash them, they will remain in the shape they were when they went into the oven.  Bake at 300 degrees for about 5-8 minutes.  Enjoy! Makes about 15 cookies, although the dough is pretty good too (without egg to worry about.)

Or you can change things up a bit and have an equally delicious snack-a-roo.  These ones taste more like a chocolate peanut butter fudge...especially if you only bake them for 5 min at 300 degrees!

1 cup almond butter
4 TBS honey
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut shreds

Follow the same directions except use almond butter (as peanuts are actually legumes which are forbidden on the paleo diet) and omitting the oil (as almond butter has lots of oil in it.)  These ones are more like a drop cookie dough texture but still don't quite pool out like a chocolate chip cookie would...so give it a little pat and they will come out great!

Linked to the Barnhop...