Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

As you know, I'm allergic to eggs and vanilla, making cookie baking a challenge. Today we made eggless, Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies. Basically we replaced the vanilla with almond extract, and the eggs with a Xanthum Gum/water mix.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup baking sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon Xanthum Gum
1/2 cup water
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (Dark are great too and then you can get away with less of them)


Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

Make Egg Replacement:
Put 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 teaspoon of xanthum gum in a small Tupperware container and shake.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar and almond extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add egg replacement, beating well. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

* May be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week or in freezer for up to 8 weeks.


If you want the cookies to be thinner and crispier, heat the dough slightly before cooking i.e. leave the cookie tray on top of the stove for a minute after scooping out the cookie dough and before cooking

These are NOT vegan, they are made with butter however if you use a butter replacement and dark chocolate, you should be good to go for yummy vegan cookies.

These would also be good with nuts added, but we prefer the texture without, and the almond extract still gives you a delicious nutty flavor! I will take pictures and add them to the post tomorrow.

You may ask how does eating chocolate chip cookies help you be healthier? Well honestly if I didn't eat the eggless ones we make occasionally at home I would "cheat" and eat the kind others serve. But knowing that I can make my own and not get hives, I am not tempted to eat them elsewhere. I still have to limit how many I eat or I will regain that weight I've lost. Tonight we did over indulge. Once in a while, that is fine. Tomorrow we'll eat a nice big salad and balance things out a little ;)