Oh boy, how do I talk about this cookie without sounding borderline crazy?

Since it’s officially November, I welcome the snow, I welcome Christmas music, and I welcome Christmas cookies. It’s inevitably going to happen so why not embrace it? Talk to me again in January and see if I feel the same but until then, let’s get festive. We’re getting a real Christmas tree this year, any and all suggestions on how to care for one, leave in the comments below. I could use some help.

Okay, let’s talk cookies. I doubt it comes as much of a surprise that I’m posting another cookie recipe. Cookies are a gift in bite-size form, and I’m all about it.

If you haven’t had my Almond Butter Cookies, I would highly recommend them! These are similar in a sense, but with a little twist. Oh, and did I mention we’re making homemade chocolate drops?

Trust me, it’s almost too easy. These cookies are soft, sweet and perfect in every sense of the word. Plus they only bake for 6-8 minutes — that’s my kind of cookie. I can’t be bothered to wait.

I had everything on hand already except the chocolate drop ingredients. Which include:

Baking Chocolate – I used 70% baking chocolate — this brand 

Cacao Butter — this brand which I got at Whole Foods.

Pure Maple Syrup

Don’t let the paleo and vegan thing scare you. I think a common misconception about gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar-free treats is that they aren’t as good. These are my favorite blossoms. You should be able to enjoy your favorite holiday goodies with zero guilt, isn’t that the dream?!

Do I look like someone who would steer you wrong? This is me praising Jesus for these cookies.

Alright, I think I’ve crossed over the borderline of crazy. Just make the cookies.

Almond Butter Blossoms / Homemade Chocolate Drops: Paleo + Vegan 

servings: ~ 15

chocolate drop ingredients: 

• 2 oz (4tbsp.) unsweetened baking chocolate
• 2 tbsp. pure, raw cacao butter (grated)
• 2 tbsp. pure maple syrup
• pinch of salt

cookie ingredients:

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar or raw cane sugar
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil
• 2 tbsp. maple syrup
• 2 tbsp. almond milk
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

directions: 

Chocolate Drops First 

• Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
• Melt together chocolate and cacao butter and stir until smooth.
• Add maple syrup and salt and stir to combine.
• Transfer chocolate mixture to a piping bag or small zip lock bag.
• Pipe onto your baking sheet in the shapes of your choice.
• Transfer to the freezer to set. Leave in the freezer until it’s time to add to cookies.

Cookies: 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, mix together almond flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and sugar. Set aside.
• In a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan, add almond butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup. Melt ingredients, and stir until smooth.
• Add almond milk, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
• Add wet to dry and mix until a dough forms and binds together.
• Roll and form balls to your desired size – these will not lose shape in the oven so however you shape them will be how they come out.
• Bake for 6-8 minutes or until cookies are about to crackle. They will continue to set once out of the oven. I did 7 minutes for the size of my cookie.

Assemble:

As soon as the cookies come from the oven, press one chocolate drop into the middle of each one. Let sit for a few minutes and cool on a wire rack.

TIPS:

Theo Organic Fair Trade 70% Baking Chocolate Soy Free 

Navitas Organic Cacao Butter  

Make sure to use good almond butter. An easy way to transfer your chocolate to a ziplock bag is to wrap the bag around a glass jar and fold the edges over. Pour in chocolate and close up. Be creative with your drops, they don’t have to be perfect! I’ll be making these all season long.

What’s your favorite holiday treat!? I would love to know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to come back to the blog to let me know how these turned out for you! As always, if you have any questions, don’t be shy!

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all my love,

thanks joyfoodsunshine!