If you are looking for the easiest holiday cookie recipe, and you love peppermint and chocolate, and you will love these flourless chocolate peppermint brownie cookies. They are made in one bowl and only take 6 minutes to bake! No flour needed, no refined sugar, no dairy but you'd never know. They're a crowd favorite! Add them to your cookie box this year.
PALEO CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT COOKIES ARE PALEO, GLUTEN FREE, AND MADE WITH NO REFINED SUGAR!
BUT THEY ARE STILL AMAZING! You would honestly never know these are a healthier cookie. They're made with no flour, just almond butter as the base and rich cacao powder sweetened with coconut sugar. Just a touch of peppermint extract to the batter and frosting make them perfect for the holidays.
MADE IN 15 MINUTES, ONE BOWL AND NO CHILL TIME!
INGREDIENTS IN PALEO DOUBLE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT COOKIES
Natural Creamy Almond Butter
Cacao Powder or Unsweetened dutch cocoa powder
Vanilla Extract
Eggs
Peppermint Extract or Peppermint Oil
Olive Oil
Coconut Sugar
Sea Salt
Baking Soda
Non Dairy Butter
Non Dairy Milk
SUBSITUTIONS AND SWAPS
1. I do not suggest swapping the almond butter. It has a neutral flavor and perfect texture to make these cookies fudgy. If you can't tolerate almonds, I suggest a runny cashew butter as a replacement, or even a runny tahini, just remember the flavor may change and I don't know how it will taste with mint! I don't suggest using peanut butter. It is a drier nut butter and the cookies will come out very dry and not a fudgy texture. Stick to your mouth kinda dry.
2. You can use cacao powder (also has a lot of health benefits), or you can use a dutch cocoa powder or a good quality cocoa powder.
3. Peppermint extract may be replaced with peppermint oil. Start with 2 drops in replacement and add more to taste.
4. Olive oil can be replaced with coconut oil.
5. Coconut Sugar can be replaced for another granulated sugar or sweetener like granulated maple sugar.
6. Any non dairy milk or non dairy butter will work, this is for the chocolate frosting.
7. The eggs are the only binders holding these cookies together, so I don't suggest subbing. If you are vegan and want to try it anyway, you could try a flax egg replacement.
OTHER IDEAS FOR CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT COOKIES
Add crushed candy cane into the batter
Add in chocolate chips or chopped mint chocolate bar
Decorate with sprinkles or other holiday decorations
Pipe the frosting into pretty designs or shapes
HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT COOKIES IN THESE EASY STEPS:
Preheat oven to 350F and add all cookie ingredients into a bowl until thoroughly mixed together.
Scoop out into 2 Tbsp balls, press down lightly so tops are flat. Bake for 6-8 minutes until edges just set.
Remove and let cool. Prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, mix together frosting ingredients with a hand mixer until smooth. Spread on top of cookies and top with crushed candy canes!
FAQs
What if I don't want the peppermint?
You can omit the peppermint in the batter and frosting and these cookies are still amazing! They'll be a double chocolate paleo cookie, rich and fudgy. You can still decorate with holiday sprinkles.
Can I replace the almond butter for peanut butter or other nut butters?
I don't suggest using peanut butter. It is a drier nut butter and the cookies will come out very dry and not a fudgy texture. Stick to your mouth kinda dry. If you don't have almond butter I suggest a runny cashew butter as a replacement, just remember the flavor may change and I don't know how it will taste with mint!
Can I make chocolate peppermint cookies vegan?
The eggs are the only binders holding these cookies together, so I don't suggest subbing. If you are vegan and want to try it anyway, you could try a flax egg replacement.
What brand of almond butter works best?
Use a runny almond butter here! Must be runny for these cookies to work. I always use Whole Foods 365 brand creamy almond butter. Trader Joe's almond butter also works well here. The ingredients should be just almonds and salt.
How long do paleo double chocolate peppermint cookies take to make?
They are one bowl, no chill time and bake in 6-7 minutes! They take 15 minutes to make start to finish. And then just mixing and adding the frosting after they are cooled.
Are chocolate peppermint brownie cookies also low FODMAP?
For those following a FODMAP diet, these cookies are safe per single serving according to Monash University. However we are all different and some can tolerate certain foods better than others. These cookies have 1 cup of almond butter and is split between 10-12 cookies. You may also replace the coconut sugar for a cane sugar or granulated maple sugar which are lower in FODMAP.
How to store paleo double chocolate peppermint cookies?
Store at room temperature in an air tight container for up to 2 days, then transfer to fridge for up to 7. Can also be stored frozen individually in a ziploc bag or stasher bag.
Any other questions? Ask in the comment box below!
If you make paleo double chocolate peppermint cookies, leave me comments or ratings below! And be sure to tag me @gutsy_baker on Instagram of your holiday creations!