Now that we’ve got all of these great baking items, I thought I’d put some to use. This is only one of the many yummy things I’ve been up to, but I’ll post about the other’s later. These cookies are vegan, refined sugar free, gluten free and were an instant favorite with Jim and I! The recipe below will make about a dozen, which is plenty for two people to eat over a couple days, but double the recipe is you want more! If you want cookies quick, these are the way to go as they only take 20-25 minutes total to make. These cookies stay the perfect consistency even after a day! They’re moist and soft enough, yet don’t fall apart, and they even have a crunch factor! YUM!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Turbinado (Dried Sugar Cane Juice)
• 1/2 cup Peanut Butter (the thicker and more all natural the better, we like chunky)
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Applesauce
• 1/4 cup Brown Rice Flour
• 1 cup Vegan Chocolate, chopped (I use 70% plus cocoa content)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a bowl cream together Turbinado and Peanut Butter until well combined. (Can easily do with spoon)
• Add Baking Soda and mix in.
• Add Applesauce and mix until combined.
• Add in Brown Rice Flour until everything is well incorporated and the mixture forms a doughy, texture.
• Fold in Chocolate.
• Roll into one inch balls and flatten slightly on an ungreased cookie sheet.  (I fit 12 on the sheet in 4 rows of 3.)
• Bake for 15-17 minutes.  Cookies will be golden brown and appear very soft. (They will harden up some, so don’t over bake!)
• Let cool for a few minutes before removing them from the cookie sheets.
• Enjoy them on their own or with something warm or otherwise cozy. I like them with Raw Almond Milk.

There are sometimes when I’m too impatient to wait 20 minutes for something sweet. When that happens and I’m craving something nutty, comforting, and with a serious hit of chocolate I make this:

It may not look all that appetizing, but I promise it’s SO GOOD. I throw together Oats, Peanut Butter, Dried Unsweetened Shredded Coconut, a little Turbinado, Apple Sauce, and Chocolate Covered CaoCao Nibs. Divine!