time for a sweet

squeezing in all my vegetables and logging in hours for fitness has always been pretty high on my priority list. when it comes to losing weight and building muscle, diet is key. you can work yourself until you're blue in the face but without a nutritious diet you won't see the results you are looking for.

now people tend to steer clear of any sweets or treats when they are trying to lose weight. in general this is a good idea, but we are only humans..so fear not the babycakes bakery strikes again. mixing delicious and nutritious there will always be room for an all time favorite; chocolate chip cookies. this recipe is from this book and i highly recommend it to anyone with a sweet tooth and a healthy conscious.  

what you will need:

note: i cut the recipe in half. if you would like to make the full amount of cookies just double what i am telling you.

1/2 cup coconut oil

note: coconut oil is amazing for you in more ways than one. it has plenty of hair, skin, metabolism, stress and many more benefits. here is a good reference site on coconut oil.

3 teaspoons applesauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

5/8 cup evaporated cane juice

1 cup bob's red mill gluten-free all-purpose baking flour

1/8 cup flax meal

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/3 teaspoon xanthan gum

note: xanthan gum is used as a thickening agent. since we don't have eggs in this recipe we need something to bind the ingredients together. that is what xanthan gum does.

1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips

note: you can use any kind of chocolate chips you want. :)

preheat your oven to 325* and line your baking sheet with parchment paper (parchment paper is a saint in baking. such a time saver). in a medium bowl, mix together the oil, applesauce, salt, vanilla, and evaporated cane juice. in another medium bowl, whisk together the flour, flax meal, baking soda, and xanthan gum. add the dry ingredients to the wet. mix until a grainy dough is formed and fold in the chocolate chips. scoop the dough onto your baking sheets evenly spaced. bake the cookies on the center rack for 15 minutes, rotating the sheets 180 degrees after 9 minutes. let the cookies cool and enjoy!

note: if you are making this recipe or any of the babycakes recipes it may seem a little pricey to you when you buy all of your ingredients. once you have them on hand they last for a long time and you can use them for many different recipes in baking or cooking. so worth it! not to mention people will love you for these sweet treats you are making.

have you inspired yourself today..