Paleo Cookies: UPG Favorites

Our Favorite Paleo Cookies

Sometimes you just need a cookie. Although the Paleo diet is based on the foundation of consuming whole foods and eliminating the junk, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a treat every now and then. It definitely doesn’t mean you love all those veggies any less.

BUT – before you reach for those Chips Ahoy, keep reading this article. Not all cookies are created equal! You don’t have to fall off the Paleo train just to enjoy a cookie (or two). Let’s just do a quick comparison…

Here is the ingredients list for store bought chocolate chip cookies:

UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE {VITAMIN B1}, RIBOFLAVIN {VITAMIN B2}, FOLIC ACID), SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS (SUGAR, CHOCOLATE, COCOA BUTTER, DEXTROSE, SOY LECITHIN), SUGAR, SOYBEAN OIL, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA, AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE), SALT, WHEY (FROM MILK), NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CARAMEL COLOR.CONTAINS WHEAT, SOY, MILK.

Mmmmmm, partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, caramel color, AND high fructose corn syrup.

Have you lost your appetite yet?

Here’s a secret, you don’t NEED those ingredients to make really delicious cookies. In fact, you can make cookies with 5 ingredients or less.

I try not to make it a habit to eat too many treats too often, but when I do, I aim to only eat desserts with ingredients that my great great grandparents would recognize. If there are ingredients that I don’t even know how to pronounce, much less what it really IS…no thanks.

So – without further ado – I present to you a list of Paleo cookies for those times that you need to treat yo’self. All real ingredients with nourishing qualities – no guilt needed.

Paleo No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is a spin on the classic chocolate chip cookie. It’s 100% Paleo – so you won’t find any wheat, dairy, or soy. The dough is made up of almond butter, coconut flakes, coconut oil, and ground flax seed. Talk about superfoods! These little cookies are packed full of healthy fats that help promote proper hormone function and keep you feeling full and satiated. Throw in some dark (meaning like AT LEAST 60% but always aim for the darkest that you can tolerate) chocolate chips and you’ve got a satisfying – and healthy – dessert.

Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies

Is there any dessert  more Paleo than chocolate chip cookies with BACON? I don’t think so. We shared the recipe on our blog back in 2013, but it was originally adapted from our friend Gina at Running To The Kitchen. With almond flour, coconut oil, coconut milk, dark chocolate, and bacon, these are a true treat. If you’ve never had bacon as a dessert before, the salty savory flavor of the pork is bomb when paired with sweet coconut, honey, and chocolate. If they’re not already, these will be in your dessert rotation.

Freezer Cookies

There’s no denying that warm, gooey cookies straight from the oven are delicious – nostalgic even. They make me think of baking cookies with my grandma when I was a kid. But, if you haven’t tried freezer cookies yet, these are a fun twist on the traditional cookie. This recipe utilizes freeze-dried fruit for an extra nutrient boost. And the best part is – you don’t even have to cookie these babies. Just blend up the ingredients and pop them in the freezer. So easy, so good!

Cookie Dough Truffles

I won’t lie to you – my favorite part of making cookies isn’t even the finished product…it’s actually the dough. I LOVE cookie dough, so these truffles are one of my favorite recipes. With no more than seven ingredients, they come together super easily. Roll the dough into balls, let them set up in the fridge, dip them in melted chocolate (or don’t – they’re delicious without the chocolate coating too), and voila! All the yummy goodness of cookie dough without sketchy ingredients.