Salted Chocolate Pecan Sandies (Gluten Free)

I love anything pecans, and when you add some chocolate to the mix you've really got a winner! These are a welcome addition to the recipe list and my go to baked cookie. The recipe consists of an almond flour/meal and has a nice lightly sweet flavor, especially from the coconut sugar which gives it a nice caramel flavor. And the salt adds to the delightfulness of these cookies bringing an added touch that will leave you wanting another bite, and another. Pair with a nice glass of your favorite non-dairy milk, or tall glass of water, and enjoy this chocolate chip style cookie...not too crisp, not too soft...just right. They are kid tested and most definitely mother approved! When the craving for a baked cookie comes around this will be the one!

I made this batch with half chocolate chips and half without. The above picture will be what the dough should roughly look like after blending well and before adding in the chocolate chips. I used almond meal in this recipe as I like to make my own. If using almond flour, your dough will be much lighter in color since the skin will have been removed by the manufacturer before processing. 

I scooped out rounded tablespoons, rolled into about a one inch ball, placed on the cookie sheet and flattened slightly. They will puff up a little when cooking so leave at least a half an inch or so between cookies. 

Also, Im looking into a silicon mat to use instead of parchment paper. Coconut oil works great too but having a silicon mat handy will be welcome. It may interest you also...you can find out more about them by looking at the reviews in the following link: Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat

Salted Chocolate Pecan Sandies

Ingredients

• 2 cups packed almond flour or almond meal*
• 1/4 cup coconut palm sugar, turbinado sugar or pure cane brown or white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, warmed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup pecan pieces (raw or roasted)
• 1/4 or so cup semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate chunk pieces, you can place some stategically on top as well
• sea salt to garnish

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine the first five dry ingredients in medium sized bowl. In a small bowl, add the coconut oil and maple syrup together, heat until warmed and coconut oil is melted. Add in all three wet ingredients to the dry mixture and blend well. Mix in the pecans and chocolate chips. 

Prepare a baking sheet with coconut oil, parchment paper or use a non-stick mat. Scoop out rounded tablespoons full and roll dough into balls about an 1 inch or so in size, place on cookie sheet and flatten slightly with your fingers. Leave about a half inch to an inch between cookies as they will expand when cooking. Sprinkle entire batch with sea salt. Bake for 20 minutes. They may look like they need to cook more but don't worry once they cool they will darken slightly, harden a little and be a perfect cookie. Let cool and enjoy!

Makes about 16 to 18 cookies.

* I make my own almond meal in a food processor. 1 1/2 cups of almonds will easily get you 2 cups of flour/meal. It's super easy...just process for about 4 minutes, depending on your processor. Store any leftover flour in a mason jar or sealed container of choice for later use.

Happy Baking!


Inspired by this recipe from Comfy Belly