OMG! The Best Guilt-Free Chickpea and Raisin Cookies EVER!

There’s nothing better than sipping a warm cup of tea paired with delicious cookies and a quiet house. Amiright? Ok, maybe a shower without interruption would be nicer.

But these cookies are pretty damn good and so easy your kids can make them, while you’re in that shower. Two birds, one stone. Look at you go, mama!

I’m always on the hunt for delicious and easy cookie recipes that taste great but won’t trash your body. Because, let’s be honest, we all like to eat warm, delicious desserts by the handful.

This is one of those recipes! And it’s such an easy pass for traditional chocolate chip or raisin cookies, your kids won’t even know the difference. But you will!

I see you, mama. Get that strut on!

What Makes The Best Cookies Ever

Soft and chewy on the inside, slightly crispy on the outside and edges. Smooth and buttery as you take the first bite. Warm, caramel-like centre. Mouthwatering goodness that makes you an instant addict.

The Simple Swaps For Healthy Cookies

These cookies are A-ok in the ingredients but it can clearly go haywire. Simple swaps, as you can, will fuel your body with good food your body can use.

Start switching out your pantry ingredients for “better than” versions so you get all of the flavour and goodness, without any of the additives and fillers that do damage to your body.

• Chickpeas, otherwise known as garbanzo beans. Fun fact, you can grow them right here in the prairies! They are packed full or fiber and protein and are incredibly versatile. They can be made into soups, dip, entrees, desserts, snacks, and you can even flour out of them. Chickpeas are a top 10 staple in the modern homestead kitchen. You can use them from a can or soaked overnight.
• Natural peanut butter: no additives, no sweeteners, no roasting, no salt. Just pure raw stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth peanuty goodness. Our family lives off of peanut butter and it’s so easy to make your own!
• Pure maple syrup: This isn’t your Aunt Jemima syrup. There’s no chemically dyed corn byproduct here. Tapped straight from the trees themselves. Pure maple syrup is a delicious treat even straight on the snow and rolled onto a stick! The closer from home you can get it, the better.
• Vanilla extract: Most vanilla extracts you find in the grocery store will have chemical dyed and sugar additives. You have to hunt to get the pure stuff (and I’m not talking the labelled “pure” extract. Read the ingredients.). It’s usually much more expensive but it’s worth it. Go for the good stuff.
• Baking powder: Aluminum free is a must anywhere you’re going to add baking soda and it will be heated. Aluminum gets into the body and brain and is linked to Alzheimer’s as well as other health issues such as cancer. Skip the extra aluminum in your cooking and products.
• Real Salt: Now this is a brand using real salt, not iodine salt. Ditch the table salt and find a brand that provides real salt that your body understands.

Your Bad-day Guilt-Free Cookies

Seems odd to not make cookies using flour and regular ingredients, eh? Well similar to all of the suggestions on how to puree veggies and sneak them into muffins and such, switching a few ingredients calls for a much healthier cookie without missing out on flavour.

Chickpeas work excellent for creating that “cookie dough”. So well that you can even eat this dough raw! Grab some graham crackers and use it as a dip. Yes, have that guilt-free moment of stuffing your face.

We all have bad days and can’t be perfect. While the transition away from bad behaviours like eating our feelings (guilty!) takes work, you can make it a little bit easier by using better ingredients.

Back to the chickpeas. They’re packed with protein and can even be ground up into a flour. Although they don’t get that rise because they don’t have gluten, they do provide a creamy smooth texture and a nice buttery, nut flavour.

Add your “better than regular” of peanut butter, maple syrup, salt, vanilla extract, and baking powder and you’re on your way to a cleaner pantry and safer eating.

The Great Cookie Slap

This is a technique that is sure to get a giggle and an “I want to do!” from the kids but it honestly works so well to get the best spread from your cookies.

Simply life the tray about 6 inches off of the counter and let it go. Yup, let it slam down on the counter. And repeat.

Your cookies will start to flatten out and your kids will be super impressed by all the noise you’re making.

Have them with a warm cup of tea or warmed cinnamon milk with a dash of Real Salt on top. Curl up in your favourite cozy pjs and sit down to plan your next simple shift to a healthier, more simple lifestyle.

I’d love to know how your cookies turned out and what beverage you paired them with. Share in the comments!