Glitter & Grace

O. M. G. Do you see the texture of these cookies? Seriously – smooth, practically melt-in-your-mouth, and dark with cocoa. These are some rich and fudgy little guys, that’s for sure. What if I told you that these treats were actually vegan and gluten-free?! That’s right: no butter, eggs, or even flour. Instead, these cookies get their insane texture from plenty of peanut butter (a great stand-in for more traditional sources of fat) and a bit of chewiness from just a couple tablespoons of chia seeds. Other than that, the ingredient list is pretty simple, so these cookies can be thrown together in just a few minutes.

These cookies aren’t too sweet (there’s no sugar in the recipe, just maple syrup and a ripe banana) so I like to add a couple handfuls of butterscotch or chocolate chips to the mix. Those melty pockets of chocolatey goodness are divine, am I right? But feel free to switch up the add-ins – raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts would be delicious, too! Either way, these cookies may become your favorite late-night treat. Try a couple with a cold glass of milk, and thank me later!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Cookies

Adapted from Hummusapien

Makes 12 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 very ripe banana
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, if peanut butter is unsalted
• 1/2 cup peanut butter, chocolate, or butterscotch chips (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, mash banana. Add peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla and stir until smooth.
3. Add chia seeds, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir until combined. Stir in chips.
4. Use a tablespoon to scoop dough onto prepared pan. Bake until set, about 10 minutes.