Chocolate Coconut Almond Cookies

Makes 14 -17 cookies or bars

Limiting consumption of sweets is recommended on the Mind Diet.  

In this recipe we are using ingredients that are included in the Mind Diet:

• Whole grains

• Nuts

• Cacao (which is loaded with antioxidants like theobromine, and has been associated with improved attention and memory as well as reducing inflammation and insulin levels in studies).  If you don't have raw cacao, you can substitute with cocoa powder.

Ingredients

1/4 cup maple syrup or honey or agave to taste. Try to start with a bit less and adjust until it is just sweet enough for you.

1/4 cup virgin coconut oil

1/4 cup cacao powder (the whole food and raw version of cocoa powder)

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 cup almond butter or unsweetened nut butter of choice

3/4 cup oats

1/3 cup cacao nibs or small dark chocolate chips or raisins or cranberries etc…

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 

Optional hemp seeds for garnish and added omega 3’s

Directions

1. Combine the maple syrup, coconut oil, cacao powder and sea salt in a medium pot on low heat and stir until everything is well combined.  Be careful not to burn the mixture.  If it’s a warm day, you may not even need to apply heat.

2. Add the almond butter and stir until well combined and just heated through.  

3. Turn off the heat and add the oats, stir well, cover with a lid and let sit for 5 minutes.  

4. Uncover and stir in the cacao nibs and shredded coconut until well combined.  Taste and adjust sweetness as needed.

5. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.  (Make sure the baking sheet will fit into your fridge or freezer.)

6. Using a small scoop or a tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop out dough and place on parchment and press with your fingers to level and round.  Garnish with extra shredded coconut or hemp seeds if you like.

7. Refrigerate or freeze cookies for 30 minutes or until cold.  

8. Serve chilled and enjoy on a hot summer day!