My Favorite Hot Cocoa Cookies Paleo And Gluten Free

Published 12/9/2019 • Updated 11/5/2024

Today was a great day in the Fit Foodie Kitchen. Why? Because we got to make these healthy hot cocoa cookies! These hot chocolate cookies are my all-time favorite healthy Christmas cookie because. Guess what? They don’t actually taste healthy! It’s the best when you make a cookie and they’re secretly healthy. Amiright? I’m a real stickler for nut-butter based cookies and these for sure fit the bill! Made with an almond butter base, coconut sugar (these are refined-sugar free!) an egg, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a little vanilla…these hot cocoa cookies really are the best ever! Why do I love them? Well…

They’re dense and delicious. These hot cocoa cookies are perfectly sweetened with ONLY coconut sugar! They are grain-free meaning they don’t use ANY flour at all!

Step 1: Mix Ingredients

Start with 1 cup of almond butter on the bottom of a medium-sized bowl. Then, add the rest of your ingredients and mix. Sometimes you just need to get messy and use your hands, but a spoon works too! Your dough should feel like classic cookie dough, moist and malleable.

Ingredient Questions

Can I use a different almond butter? Yes, you can use whatever nut butter that you would like! Just be sure that whatever nut butter you use is drippy. This is important because it is one of the main wet ingredients in this recipe! Do I have to use coconut sugar? No, you don’t have to use coconut sugar. Feel free to substitute the coconut sugar for any granulated sugar like brown sugar! Can I make these cookies vegan? You can try and make these cookies vegan by using a flax egg in the dough. However, we have not tested this recipe with a flax egg, so let us know how it goes!

Step 2: Scoop, Roll, and Pat

Once you’ve got your hot cocoa cookie batter ready to go, use a cookie scoop to spoon about 2 tablespoons of dough into your hands. Roll your cookie into a ball and then pat it down to form your cookie. Keep this in mind–> These cookies will not expand THAT much.

Step 3: Bake

Once you’ve got your little cookies on your baking sheet, it’s time to bake! Set your oven to 350ºF and bake your cookies for around 12 minutes. Here’s a tip–> Make sure to NOT over bake these cookies. Remember that if you leave your cookies on the baking sheet after you remove them from the oven, they continue to bake a bit longer. If you over bake these hot cocoa cookies, they will crumble. So be careful!

Step 4: Time to Decorate

The option is yours to eat your hot chocolate cookies just the way they are OR you can make a yummy frosting to go on top with a sprinkle of peppermint candies. I mean, think hot cocoa, but in cookie form! We opted for a homemade buttercream frosting which calls for butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean. Vegan Frosting Option–> Try placing a can of whole fat coconut milk into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Next, place ONLY the hard part of the canned coconut into a bowl and discard the liquid. Beat the hardened coconut milk on medium/high speed until it is thick and forms peaks. Add to the top of the hot cocoa cookies and eat immediately. If you are using the vegan frosting option here are a few things to keep in mind–>

Wait to put the coconut whip cream on the top of these cookies until the cookies are cool. The coconut whip will melt if the cookies are hot. Feel free to flavor and sweeten these cookies if you would like! Maple syrup or vanilla bean would both be great additions to this frosting. Frost these cookies right before eating if you are using this coconut whip, they will not keep well with the vegan frosting!

How to Make Healthy Holiday Sugar Cookies Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipes Iced Oatmeal Cookies