CHICKPEA COOKIES with DARK CHOCOLATE CHUNKS

When you need a warm, chewy chocolate chunk cookie: grab one of these. They also happen to be full of nutritious, plant-based ingredients so they won't make you feel weird or tired after you eat one (or.. let's be real, three or four). Making healthy recipes doesn't mean you have to compromise delicious flavour and satisfying texture. YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL, HUNNY. This is why I am so into raw desserts. They are rich, decadent, sweet and fulfilling to eat; you'd never know they were good for ya. 

This recipe is not raw because we are gonna bake these cookies, but if you want raw chocolate chip cookies, there is a plenty of recipes on my blog for those already. Sometimes I just want something fresh outta the oven, and there is nothin' like a fresh baked cookie. As much as I adore making raw treats all day, there is an aspect to baking that is incomparably comforting to my soul. I have wonderful memories of tasting the batters and doughs of banana bread and chocolate chip cookies my mum would be baking in our kitchen. I was so young I couldn't see into the mixer, but I would always gleefully take whatever spoonful of sweet goodness she gave me while she worked. This is probably a big reason I got into baking in the first place.

Along with wholesome schtuff like chickpeas, oat flour, peanut butter and dark chocolate chunks, I've added some fermented vegan proteins+ (natural coconut flavour!) from Genuine Health to this recipe. This protein mix is special to my heart because not only is it free from common allergens like soy and gluten; it's non-GMO and - as the name indicates - it's fermented. This is a big plus because it allows for the naturally occurring anti-nutrients found in beans, nuts and other protein-rich plants to be broken down so their nutrition can be unlocked and more easily digested and absorbed by your body. Basically: fermenting your proteins like Genuine Health has done with this product line is gentler to your system and if you have problems with bloating or food sensitivities with other vegan proteins, that probably won't be an issue with this one. 

Another good sign that this is a great protein mix is that there are several different protein sources (hemp, quinoa, mung beans, alfalfa, spirulina, pea and rice) so where some might be lacking in a certain nutrient, another will balance that out so you end up with a more nutritionally complete food. This is why I like eating a *variety* of whole foods every week, so I know I am not missing anything. Although at the moment I am in Berlin and so far my diet has predominantly been cakes, brownies, ice cream and donuts. But at least I am getting a *variety* of baked goods... right??

Find out where you can buy fermented vegan proteins+ here, if you wanna!

Talk soon, babes. XO 

CHICKPEA COOKIES with DARK CHOCOLATE CHUNKS
[ makes 9 -12 cookies ]

Cookies:
2 cups cooked chickpeas
1/4 cup oat flour
2 tablespoons ground flax seed
1 teaspoon baking powder
Heaping 1/2 cup peanut butter
Scant 1/4 cup maple syrup
Scant scoop Genuine Health fermented vegan proteins+ (natural coconut)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Chocolate chunks (or used store-bought):
Scant 1/4 cup cocoa butter
3 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon maple syrup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

To make the cookies: throw all ingredients into a food processor and process until you have a very moist dough, almost more like thick batter.

To make the chocolate chunks: melt the cocoa butter and stir in the rest of the ingredients. Pour evenly onto a lined plate and leave in the freezer until solid. Chop into chunks and stir these into your cookie dough. Or else: use store bought dark chocolate chips! Scoop the dough into cookies and bake for 20-25 minutes.

This post is sponsored by Genuine Health cuz I got bills to pay, but all opinions are my own. <3