My friend Nancy has been trying SO hard to convert me to Veganism. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I can be converted, but I’m willing to give some recipes a try. I figure why not start at the easiest level – baking. Cookies, to be specific. So, I grabbed a basic chocolate almond cookie recipe online and modified it a bit. How did it turn out?  Delicious, of course! And I’m not just saying that.  Give this simple recipe a try and tell me you won’t be as addicted as we were. This recipe is completely flour-less and Vegan.

1/2 cup Vegan butter or almond butter

1 mashed ripe banana

1/3 cup applesauce
2 cups finely ground up raw almonds

4 teaspoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
2/3 cup mini chocolate Chips (I used dairy-free)

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well.  Add chocolate chips last.

Scoop out about 1 tablespoon amount of dough and shape into balls onto a parchment lined baking sheet or silicone baking mat. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until sides are brown and crispy. Do not burn.  Because this is a wetter recipe, the cookies will expand when done (similar to lace cookies).