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Now that it’s officially cookie season I think it’s time that we start baking, don’t you agree?
You guys, my weakness in life is desserts, especially ones with chocolate in them. Around Christmas time there are cookies and pies and candy galore. The struggle to not overindulge in all of these tasty treats couldn’t be more real. Raise your hand if you struggle with the temptation of Christmas desserts too! If you didn’t raise your hand, then are you even human?
As a food blogger who shares healthier recipes with you guys I felt it was my duty to present to you a guilt-free cookie recipe. These Chocolate Chip Orange Macadamia Cookies are the perfect way to kick off your cookie baking extravaganza.
Are you ready? Let’s do this!
There is a short back story behind these cookies. When I was younger my mom would buy these huge soft cookies that were studded with white chocolate, macadamia nuts, and orange zest. Every once in a while she would buy a few from a local bakery as a treat. I would dream about those cookies. Yes, they were that good. When I set out to make a cookie for the holiday season those cookies from my childhood kept popping into my head. MUST-MAKE-ORANGE-MACADAMIA-COOKIES! I am so glad that I did!
These cookies are laced with plenty of orange flavor and studded with crunchy macadamia nuts and rich dark chocolate chips hugged by a soft, pillow-y cookie batter. I had to swap the white chocolate with dark chocolate, because dark chocolate always wins! Trust me, you might not want to participate in that cookie exchange after all.
How are Chocolate Chip Orange Macadamia Cookies healthier than your average cookie, you ask? 1) They are refined-sugar-free, which means we maintain a more stable blood sugar level. I used a combination of honey and coconut sugar to sweeten these babies. 2) These cookies are kept gluten-free AND grain-free by using coconut flour. Coconut flour is also rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, so you will stay fuller longer. These cookies might actually be a health food! Healthy desserts for the win!
I hope you give these tasty cookies a try and if you do don’t forget to leave a comment below and rate the recipe. It’s really helpful to other readers and it makes my day! Happy baking!
Chocolate Chip Orange Macadamia Cookies (GF)
- Yield: 10 to 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Cookies, Dessert
- Cuisine: Gluten-free
Description
Chocolate Chip Orange Macadamia Cookies are gluten-free and grain-free by using coconut flour. They are the perfect cookie recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- optional: 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons honey (can sub maple syrup, or agave nectar)
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- Zest of 1 orange (Use organic if possible to avoid pesticides)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup raw macadamia nuts, roughly chopped*
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silpat mat; set aside.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl combine the coconut flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add the coconut oil, honey, coconut sugar, orange zest, vanilla, and eggs. Stir until everything is well incorporated and a thick ball forms.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and macadamia nuts.
- Roll about 1 tablespoon of the dough into a ball. Place each ball onto the cookie sheet. You should have 10 to 12 balls. Gently flatten each ball out so that it is 1 inch thick. The cookies will not expand or puff up in the oven, so keep in mind that how the cookies look when you put them in the oven is how they will look when they come out.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies have browned on the edges and they are slightly firm to the touch.
- Allow them to cool completely before removing from the cookie sheet. They will crumble if they aren’t cooled completely.
- Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container that has been lined with paper towels to separate each layer of cookies. The paper towels help to keep the cookies from getting soggy. Eat the cookies within 3 to 4 days.
Notes
*Macadamia nuts can be pretty expensive; therefore you can sub raw almonds or pecans. Or you can completely omit the nuts; either way the cookies will be delicious.
Recipe heavily adapted fromClean & Delicious.
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