Disclaimer: I received a complementary box of Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
It’s been forever and a day since I last shared a recipe post on the blog, but I’d like to think it was because I was spending every spare moment perfecting this one. When Nektar Naturals reached out to me to try their Honey Crystals I was instantly intrigued.
Nektar Naturals’ motto is ‘Honey Without the Sticky Mess’ and that sticky mess is half the reason I don’t use honey more often. Plus, we all know how much I love trying different substitutes for refined sugars when baking. How could I pass up the opportunity to play around with a new one?
Spoiler Alert: I LOVED them & I’m giving away a free box of Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals on Instagram if you want to head there now to enter!
The first thing I did after opening the package I got in the mail, was test out the Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals on their own. So many sugar substitutes just taste plain bad, so I had to make sure I wasn’t gonna waste a perfectly good baking session on the stuff.
Luckily, it tasted just like honey. Apart from the obvious granulatedness (not a word, but necessary nonetheless) it really was honey without the sticky mess. Score one to Nektar Naturals for truthful marketing.
Honey Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
The next test was to actually try it in something. Since the Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals are granulated and not liquid, there was no need for complicated calculations. It was a straight 1:1 substitution for brown sugar. But, I was worried about the baking temp since honey usually browns faster than other sugars at the same temp.
Apparently, that’s only something you have to worry about with liquid honey, cuz the first batch at 325F needed to stay in for far too long and ended up burned at the bottom. The batch at 350F, on the other hand, was perfect after 10 minutes.
I ended up with Honey Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies are dairy free and free from refined sugars, thanks to Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals. But they still manage to be soft, chewy and decadent, like any good oatmeal chocolate chip cookie should be. Needless to day, I ate almost all in one sitting.
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water)
- ¾ cup Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals**(see notes for vegan option)
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil (use a little more if dough seems is too dry)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup rolled oats oats
- ¾ cups whole wheat flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ - 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- Combine ground flax and water in the bottom of a mixing bowl and set aside about 10 minutes
- Pre-head oven to 350F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside
- Beat together the flax egg, Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals, coconut oil and vanilla extract
- Whisk in oats, flour, baking soda and salt until well combined
- Fold in chocolate chips
- Spoon out dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes
- Allow to cool on a wire rack before devouring
For thicker cookies, refrigerate balls of dough for at least 2 hours or pop in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes before baking
Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals Giveaway
If you want to give the Honey Crystals a go yourself, Nektar Naturals has kindly offered a free box to one lucky ExSloth reader in Canada or the US. Details on how to enter will be found on my Instagram page. The Honey Crystals are also available at Wal-Mart stores across the United States or on Nektar Naturals online store.
p.s. If you’re not on Instagram, or want an extra entry, you can also sign up for my mailing list, then leave a comment below telling me you did and I’ll add you to the draw.
p.p.s. You must have a mailing address in either Canada or the US (no P.O. Boxes) to be eligible to win. I’ll randomly pick a winner next Friday (Sept 18th, 2015).
Want more cookies? Try these:
What about you?
- Have you ever tried Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals before? What did you think?
- What’s your favourite substitution for refined sugar when baking?
Share in the comments below!
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They look delicious. Chocolate chip cookies are my favorite. I always appreciate egg and dairy free recipes. Honey isn’t vegan though.
Debbie recently posted…Coach Debbie, Certified Fascial Stretch Therapist
Hey Debbie! Thanks for the reminder. I noticed my error right after I hit publish, and went back and removed the vegan referemces. Let’s blame it on the late nights 😳
Love these!! Also love the honey substitute. I haven’t tried honey granules myself, but I have an upcoming project where I’ll get to and I’m pretty pumped!
Erin @ The Almond Eater recently posted…Skillet Mac n’ Cheese with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Can’t wait to see what you do with them! 😀
Delish! Who could turn down a chocolate chip cookie!
Stevia or fruit puree are my “sweeteners” of choice!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Friday Finisher 9/11/15
Love using fruit purees! I tried a similar version to these cookies last night with applesauce and they were awesome 😀
Could you taste the honey granules after you baked them, or did they bake into the dough? Either way, these look so yummy!
Nope, they dissolved when I beat the honey & eggs together. It was just like using granulated sugar in a cookie, but with a more ‘honey’ taste.
Those cookies look amazing! I love anything with honey 🙂
Rachel recently posted…5 Things I Miss Most About College
I love this, because my dad can’t have a lot of regular sugar, so I’m always trying to find other ideas for him!
Emily recently posted…Friday Favorites: What We will Never Forget
Ugh. I NEED this. There’s nothing better than a cookie, let alone Oatmeal Chocolate Chip. These honey crystals are so interesting too, def need to try them soon!
Megan @ Straight From The Jar recently posted…Chipotle Rice Jar
These cookies – oh I swoon!! Love Nectar Naturals, we always have a box in the house 🙂 It’s great in tea as well!! I loved baking with them also, anytime I can find a good refined sugar substitute I’m a happy girl!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…10 Outdoor Fall Activities
Honey…crystals? I’m totally intrigued! I hate the sticky ring honey inevitably leaves in the cupboard, but I can’t live without the stuff! I’ll have to pick up a jar and try them out — most likely in these delicious looking cookies! Yum!
Amanda | The Cinnamon Scrolls recently posted…10 Exciting Fall Apple Recipes
I subscribed today and am soooooo excited. Just seeing what you’re all about and your hints and tips is motivating. My cousin is throwing a “Home SWEET Home” themed housewarming, and she is the one that has hipped me to more natural ingredients… I know that she would love to see these at her gathering! Fingers crossed… HONEY is my favorite, after chocolate that is. 🙂
Honey Crystals huh?!?!?!? I need to check this out – curious killed the cat after all! ha ha.
GiGi Eats recently posted…Give Me Some Sugar, Sweet Lips!
I <3 Nektar Naturals! 😀 I love that you used it to make cookies–they look delicious! <3
Farrah recently posted…Foodie Friday: Breakfast In A Cup
I love chocolate chip cookies especially warm. I bet this would be easy enough to make gf without changing the goodness. Thanks Giselle!
jill conyers recently posted…Grow Your Blog with Pinterest
Hi Giselle,
I wonder what happened to you – haven’t seen you our blog hop for quite a while – glad your back. This recipe for the cookies sounds and looks delicious. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted.
Marla recently posted…Real Food Friday #105 – Healthy, Natural And Organic Lifestyle
I signed up! 🙂 I have entered!
Yum!! These look great!
Wow these look amazing! I’ve never heard of honey crystals… that makes it super easy to bake with honey!!
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted…Chicago Fun with The Laughing Cow
I keep seeing that Nektar everywhere but I havnen’t tried it yet. Thanks for linking up today with your yummy cookies
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Freekeh Black Bean Burgers-Meatless Monday
It’s really good Debbie! You should definitely give them a try 😀
Um, drool! I need these cookies in my life. Thanks for linking up with us for Meatless Monday!
Rachel recently posted…Recipe Monday: Vegan Nacho Cheese Dip
Thanks for hosting Rachel!
This look great. I am sure that my kids will love this. Thanks for sharing.
These look great and really tasty!
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