Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies (Dairy and Refined Sugar free!)

About two years ago, I began cutting sugar out of my life. I had just had Nya, and wanted to raise her on as clean a diet as possible in order to boost her immune system and overall health, decrease her chances of illness and allergies, and set her up for a future free from common health problems we see today in America. I also knew the age old motto: "Do as I say and not as I do" simply would not work. I couldn't expect Nya to avoid sugar if I couldn't, or wouldn't, do it myself.

Little by little, I cut out processed sugars, including raw and maple syrup, and it took about 9 months to fully kick the habit. Adopting a whole food diet is essential for completely kicking sugar to the curb because sugar is added to nearly everything processed.  Even packages that claim "no sugar added" or "sugar free" have some sort of sugar substitute that is just as bad, if not worse. (Read more here from Dr. Jay Gordon).

The beginning was really tricky because I craved sweets. My body had to have them, and a handful of fresh fruit did not satisfy my craving. This is why it is so important to set your child up from the beginning with healthy eating habits. Their bodies are free from the toxins we call food. They've never had sugar, so why get them started on it? It's detrimental to their health, and that is something we do have control over, to an extent.

So to fully kick my sugar cravings, I had to replace it with something equally decadent, until it was out of my system. I began experimenting with dates (Click here to read more about the health benefits of dates), and used them in place of sugar. I started with raw desserts (these Ooey Oooey Fudgy Bars were a favorite), and moved on to baking with them once Nya was eating more solid foods.

I've found pureed dates easily replace refined sugars in just about everything, yet I had trouble recreating a cookie from whole foods that had the same texture as a traditional cookie. No matter the ratios, or how many attempts, I just could't recreate a traditional cookie purely from whole foods. I did create these amazing nutterly soft chocolate chip cookies for Nya that she absolutely loves, but they have more of a cake-like texture (fine for her, but not for me or Jamie who know what a cookie is "supposed" to taste like).

Finally it occurred to me to try date sugar. Could this be the missing link?

I purchased a small bag from Whole Foods (it's expensive!) to try out before I made my own. At first I was a bit discouraged because the batter didn't taste sweet or cookie-like at all. I thought it was going to be a complete flop, but I decided to see the recipe through. After baking, they came out perfectly! I have made these a couple times using different flours. I found the white whole wheat to work best, but did experiment with teff, oat, brown rice, and whole oats. All worked fine, but created a softer cookie.

With the holidays around the corner, I'm excited to use dates in this form to create other yummy goodies. Stay tuned for more!

This recipe does unfortunately contain 1 Tbsp of oil. I try to avoid oil as it's empty calories devoid of any nutritional value, but this was the best cleanest recipe I could come up with. Skip it if you want, but the results will very slightly. There is also sugar in the chocolate chips. Use cacao nibs if you can (slightly bitter), or skip them altogether. This is the only form of "sugar" Nya ever has, so I use it sparingly.

A couple important notes about date sugar:

• It is expensive to purchase, but think of your family's health...how much is it worth to you?

• If purchasing, the only ingredient should be dehydrated dates.

• Date sugar does not dissolve easily, so the batter does not taste as good or sweet as the final product...don't be discouraged! 

• Not ideal for teas (date paste works best here!)

• You can easily make your own by drying out dates in the oven (very low temp) or dehydrator. Once dried, grind to a powder. (This is much cheaper but more time consuming.)

What you need:

• 1 c date sugar

• 2/3 c plant milk (I like cashew best!)

• 1 Tbsp hemp oil (can skip or use another oil of choice)

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1/3 c + 1 Tbsp crunchy peanut butter (no other ingredients added and creamy works too!)

• 1 c white whole wheat flour (make sure organic to avoid GMOs)

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp sea salt

• 1/2 - 2/3 c chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life)

What you do:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine date sugar, plant milk, oil, vanilla, and peanut butter and stir until smooth.

3. Next add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and stir until combined.

4. Add the chocolate chips (if using), and stir until incorporated.

5. Drop onto silicon baking sheet and bake for about 12 minutes. (I rolled mine into balls for a cleaner "truffle" look). Makes about 16 cookies.

Enjoy!

I know this sounds silly, but discovering this and putting it to use is a complete game changer when it comes to desserts and sweetened foods. Sugar is addicting and has many ill side effects on our body's cells; impairing the body's ability to thrive. Your health, your choice. Choose wisely for your child!

To connect with others in this crazy journey of life, discover new parenting ideas & fun DIY projects, learn about holistic remedies, & find whole food plant based recipes, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.