Skinny Gluten-Free VDay Cookies

Nothing breaks my heart more than childhood cancer.  When I heard about the Good Cookies Food Bloggers' Valentine's Event, I enthusiastically signed up without blinking an eyelash.

Food bloggers everywhere are doing this event is because we want to make a difference in the fight against pediatric cancer. Did you know that cancer is the #1 cause of death of children by disease in the U.S.? There are 40,000 U.S. children actively battling cancer right now. With less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute's budget going to all childhood cancer combined, I knew it was important for me to get involved. Help us make a difference by donating to Cookies for Kids' Cancer! Our goal is to raise at least $3000. Because these three companies: Dixie Crystals, Land O’Lakes and Mediavine have each pledged to match our donations raised through this campaign up to $3000!!! Currently, we have raised: $1,515 we are a little over HALF WAY towards our $3000 goal, will you help us with a donation today? Every little bit helps! Donate here.

Since this is a Valentine's themed event, I decided to whip up a healthier version of a paleo/glutenfree cookie with a Cupid-esque flair.  This recipe minimizes sugar and butter, substituting applesauce instead.  Applesauce substitutes are pretty tricky, especially with cookies (it's more forgiving in cakes), but I wanted to find a way to cut fat/calories without sacrificing taste and texture.

Voila!

Skinny Gluten-Free VDay Cookies

INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp butter (melted)
2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1 tbsp honey
1/3 c coconut sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1½ cups cashew flour (blanched almond flour will also work)
2 tablespoons coconut flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup chocolate pieces of choice (I used VDay m&m's to get the desired color)

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Combine the wet ingredients: butter, applesauce, honey, sugar, egg white, & vanilla
3. Combine all the dry ingredients: cashew flour, baking soda, & salt
4. Add the dry to the wet and stir to combine
5. Stir in the chocolate
6. Form the dough into cookies and place on a greased cookie sheet.  Note that paleo/gluten-free cookies don't expand like traditional cookies
7. Bake for 9-10 minutes or until edges are slightly toasted

Yield: 1 dozen