Holiday Cookies with Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds

These holiday cookies with chocolate covered sunflower seeds have a couple lil' secret good-for-you ingredients, but nothing that detracts from the flavor or makes it feel like a granola-bar-esque "healthy cookie." Perfect for cookie swaps, parties, or gifting to a friend.

Saturdays in December are for baking cookies.

Am I right?!?

Cookies are taking over the internet right now, and for good reason. It's totally that time. But it took me awhile to get into the cookie mood. I've been more into quesadillas... and smoothies... and yogurt bowls lately.

But, I FINALLY felt inspired to bake after finding these adorable green chocolate covered sunflower seeds and a cute giftable cookie tin from Target.

chocolate covered sunflower seeds

Baking --- especially when gifting --- is an expression of love. Just ask Babycakes. One of my favorite quotes of hers from when she was a toddler was: 'I love you most, Mommy, when you make me food." <--- so heartfelt, and so true! These cookies are made with love, baked with Bob's. (organic all purpose flour to be exact!)

bob's redmill cookie dough

You could bake for a new neighbor that just moved in down the street, your child's teacher, the firemen at the firehouse nearby who are always the first to respond, or for the hostess who puts a lot of time and effort into crafting the perfect holiday party. It helps take the focus off ourselves --- and really think about others.

bob's redmill holiday cookies

Then box them up in an adorable cookie tin (I love that this one was less than $4 at Target!) and write a holly jolly note while you sip on a cup of coffee in a sweatered mug and listen to Christmas music on Alexa! 

holiday cookies with sunflower seeds

I used these adorable chocolate covered sunflower seeds, but you can use this recipe as the base and then add in whatever you have on hand: chocolate chips, holiday M&Ms, pistachios and dried cranberries, etc.!

christmas cookies with chocolate covered sunflower seeds

Tell me... who are you baking for this holiday season?

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Disclaimer: this is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bob's Red Mill. The opinions, text, recipe, and beautiful photos are all mine. Thank you for supporting brands that support Nosh and Nourish!! I choose them based on what I already cook/create with and feel 100% confident in recommending to you.

Holiday Cookies with Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds

Holiday Cookies with Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds

Description

Holiday Cookies with Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup Chickpeas (canned --- rinsed then drained)
1⁄3 cup Silk Hazelnut Almondmilk creamer (or sub your favorite creamer or milk)
1⁄2 cup Butter (or sub Earth Balance's dairy-free butter stick)
1⁄2 cup organic cane sugar
1⁄2 cup Bob's Red Mill coconut sugar
2 Egg Yolks
1 tablespoon flax seed
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 3⁄4 cup Bob's Red Mill Organic All Purpose Flour
1⁄2 teaspoon Sea Salt
1 cup chocolate covered sunflower seeds (or sub in whatever you'd like: holiday m&ms, chocolate chips, pistachios and dried cranberries, etc.)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. Combine the chickpeas and almondmilk creamer in a large measuring cup. Use an immersion blender—a food processor or blender will also work—to puree until smooth.
  4. Partially melt the butter in the microwave for 30 seconds.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chickpea mixture, butter, sugars, and egg yolks. Use a hand mixer for approximately 2 minutes to thoroughly combine. 
  6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flax seed, baking soda, and flour. Then, add to the wet ingredients and stir to combine.
  7. Fold in the chocolate covered sunflower seeds. Use a spoon to form 2-inch balls. You should get about 24 balls. Place 6 to 8 on each prepared baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 12 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through, until lightly golden brown and set in the center. Let cool on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough balls.

Yields 24 Cookies