Living without processed sugar has become
relatively easy.
I always knew that it affected me
(my skin, my gut),
but it wasn't until I did an elimination diet
a couple of years back that I realized
how addicted to the stuff I was.
Thanks to some mighty creative bakers who are happy to share,
white sugar is just not part of my diet anymore.
In fact, about a month ago,
I treated myself to a French Cruller at a local coffee joint,
and it was shocking to my tastebuds.
After you stop eating processed sugar,
it's like overload when you partake of it.
These chocolate chip cookies were fabulous
and absolutely no sugar was involved
(even the chocolate chips are sugar free!).
I tweaked the original recipe to my liking.
I'll take any excuse to add nuts to recipes,
so I added walnuts here.
I could see shredded coconut fitting in nicely as well.
Next time, I think I will add some oats
to replace some of the almond flour.
You can find the earnest baker's version here.
One of the sweeteners in the recipe was date syrup,
and fortunately, it was easy enough to find out how to whiz it up in a blender.
It's as simple as combining these ingredients:
1 1/4 C dates
1 1/2 C water
1 teaspoon lemon juice.
The mixture will keep for 3 weeks in the fridge.
This recipe made much more than I needed for the cookies,
so I will be using it to bake more treats for my son,
who has taken himself off of sugar.
If you're still consuming sugar of any kind,
be prepared because these may not be sweet enough for you.
As for me, I think I've found a new secret ingredient.
Chocolate Chip Date Cookies
(theearnestbaker.com)
1 3/4 C almond flour
1/2 C arrowroot powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
2 Tablespoons date syrup
1/4 C coconut/light olive oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 medjool dates, chopped
2 handfuls chocolate chips
(I use Lily's)
1 handful walnuts, chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Whisk together dry ingredients,
then add syrups, oil and vanilla.
Fold in dates, nuts and chocolate chips.
Use small ice cream scoop to place on baking sheet.
Bake 7-9 minutes until golden,
then remove from oven and flatten with a fork.
Enjoy!
Oh gosh, those look yummy. Thank you for both recipes! I never knew it was so easy to make date syrup.
ReplyDeleteYeah, me neither! Such a great solution to the "sugar blues".
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