I haven’t posted a brownie recipe in a while so I toyed with the idea of coming up with a new one to share today. But really, nothing can top my vegan brownie recipe in my eyes, or the gingerbread version, so I decided to try my hand at brownie cookies instead. Paleo Vegan Nut Free Brownie Cookies to be exact.
The entire name sounds like one big contradiction, but weirdly, these brownie cookies are all of those things.
One of my personal goals for this year was to try making more new-to-me foods or at least using more new to me ingredients in my recipes.
I checked my progress this weekend and realised I’ve used quite a few new-to-me ingredients already this year:
- turmeric in this smoothie bowl
- most of the spices in this chai hot chocolate
- tahini in this nut-free granola
- poppy seeds in these vegan donuts
- and now sunflower seed butter and coconut flour in these paleo vegan nut free brownie cookies
Okay, so I have used sunflower seed butter before on toast and I used coconut flour in these two no bake recipes. But I’ve never actually baked or cooked anything with those ingredients, so I’m adding these brownie cookies to the list. Hashtag logic.
Paleo Vegan Nut Free Brownie Cookies
Moving on from my questionable logic, let’s chat about a few of the ingredients in these brownie cookies for a second.
Coconut flour
I’m no stranger to flour substitutes but coconut flour has to be the weirdest one I’ve ever worked with. I’m not sure I’ll ever get the hang of its crazy absorption properties. I’m pretty excited to keep experimenting with it, though.
Tahini, sunflower or other seed butter
This is the glue that keeps everything together and it adds a subtle nutty flavour to the cookies, without the nuts. Obviously, if you don’t need these to be nut free you can use a nut butter of choice (I highly recommend peanut butter). Just remember that whichever one you use will affect the taste of the cookies, so make sure it’s one you actually like.
Coconut Sugar
You can sub the coconut sugar for another granulated sweetener, but I would advise against using a liquid sweetener. The coconut flour will not react well to extra liquid in the batter. Trust me.
Applesauce
This helps keep the cookies soft and moist and gives them that amazing chewy ‘brownie’ texture. I barely use any applesauce in this recipe, just 1 tsp. But when you’re working with coconut flour, a little goes a long way.
Coconut oil
The amount of coconut oil you use in this recipe depends on how oily your nut butter is. Anything between 2 and 3 tsp should work okay, but you might have to blot any excess oil with a paper towel before baking.
There are a few more ingredients in the cookies but they’re all normal vegan brownie cookie ingredients, so I won’t go into detail about them.
But I will say that these vegan nut free brownie cookies are crispy on the outside but are soft, chewy and basically brownie-like on the inside. Plus, they’re made with coconut flour so they’re also gluten-free and paleo. Told ya.
Oh, and if you make these cookies, I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a comment and rate the recipe or take a pic and tag it #ExSlothEats on Instagram!
- 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water
- 2 - 3 tsp coconut oil, melted*
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- 6 tbsp (3/8 cup) tahini, sunflower or other seed butter**
- 1 tsp applesauce, preferably at room temp***
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- pinch of salt
- ¼ tsp ground coffee beans (optional)
- 2 tbsp mini dairy-free chocolate chips
- unsweetened shredded coconut for topping
- Combine ground flax and water in a small bowl and let sit until it forms a gel-like liquid
- Preheat oven to 350F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside
- Mix together the melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, seed butter, applesauce, flax egg and vanilla until well combined
- Add in the coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt and coffee grounds, if using, and mix until just incorporated
- Fold in the chocolate chips. The dough should be tacky but not stick and should come together to form a ball during this step
- Divide the dough into 6 - 8 equal sized balls or spoon out with a cookie scoop and transfer to prepared baking sheet
- Flatten with a fork or your fingertips and top with coconut and more chocolate chips
- Bake for 10 - 13 minutes or until the cookies start to turn golden brown around the edges
- They might be a little fragile straight out the oven, so allow to cool on the cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely
** Can sub for other nut butter if you don't need it to be nut free
*** It's best if the applesauce is at room temp so it won't cause the coconut oil to solidify again
Want more nut free cookies? Try this one:
Not ready to make these cookies yet? Scroll over the image below to pin it for later.
What about you?
- Have you ever used coconut flour before? Any recipe recommendations?
- Brownies? Cookies? Or Brownie Cookies?
- What’s your favourite nut or seed butter?
Join the conversaton in the comments below!
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omg paleo AND vegan is so hard to achieve. kudos – they look too good to be true!! yum
Right?! I was so surprised when I realised it was both lol.
I totally agree with you – coconut flour IS weird to work with. But once you nail it, it’s DELICIOUS. And it totally looks like you nailed it here! Brownie cookies? Genius!
Thanks Alexa 🙂 I’m so scared to experiment with it again cuz I just know the next thing will be a flop haha
Yasssss!! These look amazing!! Coconut flour works in such mysterious ways, I’ve had so many total chalky fails because of it, but it can also work such wonders in baked goods!
Leah | love me, feed me recently posted…lemon berry rice crispy treats
So many chalky fails. I was testing another cookie recipe before this one and it was a hot dry mess. Luckily, these totes made up for that 😉
Brownie cookies?? These are wonderful!!!! Chocolate joy!
Love sunflower butter….a staple! I’m still not a huge fan of baking with coconut flour :/
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Freedom Feature: Jules Shepard “gfJules”
I’m not sure if I’ll ever call myself a fan of baking with coconut flour generally, but it works so well with this recipe I couldn’t help but fall in love with it here lol
These look so good! Will you send me a batch because I’m too busy this week to make them! LOL! I really need to get on using sunflower butter! I have yet to use it in my recipes.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…Orange Carrot Ginger Juice {GF, Low Cal, Paleo, Vegan}
Never to busy for cookies! And you should def try baking with sunflower seed butter. So good 😀
you combined the best two things ever! These Brookies look divine. Also Love that you used coconut flour, that’s my fav!
rachel @ athleticavocado.com recently posted…Simple Almond Lime Cilantro Crusted Salmon {Paleo + Whole 30 Approved!}
Thanks Rachel! I’m so new to working with coconut flour. Any tips?
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These look sooo fabulous! I have terrible luck with coconut flour but these look perfect. Definitely going to give these a try!
Thanks Chelsea! Let me know what you think 😀
First of all, I am super pumped about all of your new ingredient experimentation. Everyone needs a bit more turmeric, tahini and sunbutter in their life. Second of all, I’m drooling all over myself looking at these. Cookies and brownies are two of the best things ever – and to combine them is brilliant!
Les @ The Balanced Berry recently posted…DIY Detoxifying Face Mask
If you like cookies and brownies, you’re gonna love these 😀
p.s. any recs for my next ingredient experiment?
So I’ve never tried a paleo cookie but now I’m
Intrigued! They look absolutely delicious! Have you tried them with a different nut butter?
Yes, I have! They’re really, really good with almond butter. If your AB is too liquidy/oily they spread a bit more than these do but they still taste delicious.
Let me know what you think if you try it 🙂
I’m such a cookie addict and these look incredible!
Thanks Rebecca! You need to try them 👌👌👌
I can’t believe a vegan version exists for my favorite kind of cookie. Brownie+Cookie!! Must try this!
Yay for vegan brookies 🙌🙌🙌
Brownies + Cookies….2 of my all time favorites things in one. Pinned and making <3
Diana @ Live Lean Eat Green recently posted…Mother’s Day Gift Guide!
I haven’t used coconut flour before, I bought some the other day to try. Thanks for the tips!
YAY love the paleo dessert idea. Coconut flour is my fave. I can’t wait to try these! Just pinned 🙂
These chocolate brownie cookies of yours look fantastic! I can’t wait to try them! Thanks for sharing. Love the thick texture. Wish I had a few of these for lunch!
These came out delicious! I made them with sunflower seed butter, and shaped them a little smaller to make more. There were perfect little bite-sized cookies! And they’re grain-free AND vegan!! Not easy to come by! Thank you!
Who doesn’t like brownies? My wife made this last weekend, all my family loves this brownie so much. Very chocolatey. Thanks for sharing.
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