Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Gluten Free Vegan Wellplated Com

Sometimes, a lady just needs a cookie. Whether it’s with coffee for breakfast, a mid-day pick-me-up, or a midnight snack attack, if you ask me, any time is cookie time. Working from home, I’m constantly surrounded by tempting treats, including, but not limited to:

Whatever recipe I’m currently testing (I’m frequently working on variations of these decadent Brownie Bites).Ben’s bi-weekly batch of Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies.Or the four different flavors of ice cream I have tucked away in the freezer (like this Banana Ice Cream).

I wish I were one of those steely individuals who could eat fruit and call it dessert, but it’s just not who I am—I’m a lady who needs her afternoon (and morning) cookie break. Therefore, anytime I’m able to create a stellar healthy cookie recipe, they get added into my regular cookie rotation. These healthy cherry chocolate chip cookies are one of my latest inventions and they are outstanding for several reasons.

The recipe uses zero refined sugar. They’re naturally sweetened with bananas, coconut, and cherries.Made with almond meal and wholesome oats, these easy cherry chocolate chip cookies are gluten free (as is this Healthy Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie). PLUS, vegans rejoice because these cookies contain no eggs, butter, or dairy of any kind (these Chickpea Blondies are another vegan favorite).

Skeptical? So was I.

How to Make Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cherry and chocolate are a dream team flavor combo. Combined with tender oats, these cookies are securely stationed in “snack-appropriate” territory, which is exactly where I want them to be.

The Ingredients

Banana. Forget about the cakey banana puff “cookies” you may have had in the past. In this recipe, the bananas act like eggs to add moisture and help bind the ingredients in these vegan chocolate chip cookies together (similar to these Peanut Butter Banana Cookies).Shredded Coconut. Adds body, texture, and sweetness.Almond Meal. Keeps these gluten free chocolate chip cookies light and tender (just like in Almond Flour Cookies).

Oats. Give the cookies a subtle nutty flavor, adds texture, and a little chew. (Healthy Oatmeal Cookies will forever be one of my favorites.)

Dark Chocolate. Makes these healthy cherry chocolate chip cookies decadent enough to feel like a special treat.Dried Cherries. I always reach for tart dried cherries when I can, but if you prefer sweet dried cherries, they’re a fine choice too. (If you love cherries, try my Roasted Chickpea Snack Mix too.)

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Leftover chocolate chip cookies with cherries can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For best results place a paper towel over the cookies and in between any layers to absorb excess moisture and prevent the cookies from becoming mushy.To Freeze. Freeze cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet until frozen. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before serving.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Mixing Bowls. This nested set of glass mixing bowls is a must-have for any baker.Parchment Paper. Prevents sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.Baking Sheets. These are my go-to sheet pans for cookie baking.

Now to decide where to put these healthy cherry chocolate chip cookies in my rotation…somewhere between these Healthy Pumpkin Cookies and Zucchini Cookies with Chocolate Chips seems about right.

Prefer milk chocolate? Go for it! Love white chocolate? Why not?!Not a fan of cherries? Try swapping in raisins or dried cranberries.Feeling rouge? Sprinkle in walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or almonds.

Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.