These deliciously delicate chocolate lace cookies will be the hit of your next party – and they just so happen to be accidentally gluten-free!
Have you ever thought about trying a gluten-free diet?
Like Atkins in the 90s, the idea of “going gluten-free” has swept America (and beyond). If you haven’t tried a gluten-free diet, chances are you know at least one person who has.
There are people who adopt this diet out of necessity (Celiacs). And then there are those who try it simply because they’re curious. I have a friend who falls into the latter group: She’s been avoiding gluten for the past two months, and she swears it’s made her feel better.
I don’t know if my friend is really gluten-intolerant, or if it’s the placebo effect working the magic on her. But my job isn’t to judge; my job is just to be a supportive friend. And so I support her the best way I know: with lots of love… and food! (My Italian grandmother would be so proud.)
For more recipes: Over 100 Healthy Gluten Free Recipes
The following recipe is the definition of “experiment.”
I had absolutely no idea, when I threw a bunch of random ingredients together, what would come out of my oven!
Luckily, these gluten free cookies were a huge hit when I shared them this past Saturday night, and my gluten-free friend was so appreciative she wasn’t left out of dessert for once.
To be honest, the cookies aren’t my personal favorites. They turned out too crispy/chewy for my liking, and I much prefer softer cookies like my Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cookies.
But some of my friends loved the flourless chocolate cookies so much that I’m posting the recipe anyway. If you like your cookies to be chewy (as opposed to soft), this is a recipe for you!
Chocolate Lace Cookies
Very loosely based on my Fudge Babies Recipe.
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- scant 1/4 tsp salt
- level 1/2 tsp baking soda
- packed 1/4 cup pitted dates (45g)
- 1 cup chocolate chips (170g)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unrefined coconut oil
Blend first five ingredients until almonds and dates are finely pulverized. In a separate bowl, combine vanilla, oil, and 3/4 c of the chocolate chips. Melt (I microwaved 1 minute, then stirred). Pour the dry ingredients, as well as the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips, into the wet. Stir until evenly mixed, making sure to break up any big clumps. It’ll seem dry at first, but keep stirring until it all looks dark and shiny.
Bake at 355 F for 7-8 minutes. (Take out when still a bit undercooked, as these continue to cook as they cool.)
Link Of The Day:
Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies
What do you think of the gluten-free trend?
I know this is a polarizing subject: some people believe everyone can benefit from adopting a gluten-free diet, while others think the idea of eating gluten-free by choice is ridiculous.
Personally, I don’t think I’m qualified to judge. I don’t have Celiac Disease and I’ve never tried a gluten-free diet (nor will I, unless it becomes medically necessary to do so). But I do think that if someone wants to give up gluten and thinks it helps him/her feel better, all the more power to that person. It’s really not my place—or anyone else’s—to tell others what diet works best for their bodies.
I wish I wasn’t part of the “trend,” but sadly, I am gluten intolerant. 🙁
But thanks to recipes like these, I can manage. YAY!! Thanks once again. 🙂
Hi Katie,
First of all I recently discovered your blog and I love it.
I just made those cookies and the are amazing. Thank you for this recipe. I am gluten sensitive so I am cutting it off from my diet as much as possible so these is definitely a great sweet treat for me.
PS. Do you have any recipe for a gluten free Bday cake? My Bday is coming up and I want to make something on my own that will not kill my stomach after the next day?
Hi Izabela!
Happy early birthday!! My favorite birthday cake is actually gluten-free :). It’s my Chocolate Bar Pie, and it’s what I had for my own birthday! But the Deep-Dish Cookie Pie, Giant Chocolate-Chip Cookie Cake, and Cinnamon Roll Pie are all gluten-free as well.
oh, many thanks Katie. I will take a look at all of them. I am sure it will be a hard decision;)
As a 53 year old female who just recently went gluten/grain free (6 months ago), I can tell you that there is definitely a link between gluten and disease for many people! My arthritis pain, which had become quite debilitating, has all but disappeared, as has the depression I’ve suffered from since I was a teen. I’ve lost 30 pounds (easily, I certainly don’t consider this a “diet”), and my menopausal symptoms have vanished. Gluten causes inflammation in the body, and inflammation in the body is a very bad thing, leading to much of the disease plaguing our society. I follow a primal diet (similar to paleo), and am nothing short of amazed at the health improvements I’ve experienced since adopting this lifestyle. I will never go back to eating the way I used to.
I macy’s cookies cookies for valentine’s day on my husband love them. I would not let him eat a second one until I figured out how many calories were in each cookie. I entered the recipe into my plate.Com. I made a batch of 12. Each came in at 233 calories. I can only afford one cookie per day. Next time I will break the batch up omto 24 cookies. Thanks katie for this recipe! These are worth repeating.
I made these but altered them and what do you know, mine came out fluffy and gooey… I replaced the dates with 1/2 a ripe banana, mashed, and I added a tbs of non-dairy milk, 1/3 cup oats, and a sprinkling of raw sugar…. I also replaced the coconut oil with rice bran oil (did not have coconut oil…) and the chocolate chips with 100g dark chocolate (melted- did not add any choc chips.)
Delicious.
Ooh, I also added some cayenne pepper which is delicious, but not everyone’s cup of tea.
Oh yum! Thanks, Barbara, for sharing. I definitely am bookmarking your idea :).
My mother-in-law found your blog here and referred me to it. She also convinced me it was worth looking at when she made me your gluten free chocolate chip cookies. I don’t have Celiac Disease but I once had a friend who did. I few years after losing that friendship I discovered I had food allergies. One of those food allergies is wheat. I’ve done some searching and it’s not quite the same as gluten but a lot of the same foods must be removed out of my diet. It’s tough not eating the food I love. But finding your cookies puts one more thing I love unto the I-Can-Eat-This list. That’s exciting for me. I also look forward to trying more of your recipes in the future!
I just love these cookies! And, by the way, the dough is delicious raw too, sooo…I can’t tell you how many they make either ☺
Also, mine didn’t flatten out either, but they were still amazing!
Are you ready for a challenge? lets make this healthy
http://thegingersnapgirl.blogspot.com/2012/02/banana-cake-with-nutella-frosting.html
My mom tested positive for Celiac Disease, and after a lot of considering my own personal health, I decided to go gluten- and dairy-free. After having not had these two things for a few months, I (as well as my poor husband) can tell when they get into my system. It’s not pretty. I’ve had people suggest I get allergy-tested, but as a nurse, I feel like my health choices work for me and I don’t need a test to prove or disprove this.
The longer I’ve gone without these types of things, the better I feel and the less I crave them. I’m also very excited to try these since there’s no added sugar other than the chocolate chips.
Thank you for such amazing recipes!!