One of the best ways to say #HelloHealthySugarMindset is to make at home with your kiddos! And there’s nothing easier than this 5 ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe!
A healthy sugar mindset is not just about restricting sugar intake, it’s about appreciating and understanding the sugar that goes into your body. That’s why it’s so beneficial to cook sweet treats at home!
We don’t think that demonizing sugar and trying to avoid it all together is a sustainable way to approach the sugar overload in our world. Instead, we try to cultivate a healthy relationship with sugar with our kids. This means helping them understand the different types of sugar, choosing less processed forms of sugar, reducing the overall sugar we eat, and choosing homemade treats whenever we can.
When you make your own sweet treats at home you can choose the quality of the ingredients and see exactly how much sugar goes into each treat. Plus, inviting kids to help bake will encourage a relationship with the food beyond just a simple sugar craving.
Most cookies at the store contain artificial ingredients and way more sugar than necessary.
These simple, nutrient-dense cookies will help your children build a mindful, balanced relationship with sugar. It will also encourage the important life skill of cooking and teach kids the value of making their own food! These cookies take just a few minutes to make and only require 5 simple ingredients. Plus, three of the ingredients are healthy fats and proteins, making these treats satisfying as well as delicious.
Why We Like the ingredients in this 5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
Organic Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is rich in nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B-6. It’s a good source of healthy fat and protein, which means it’ll keep you satiated for hours. Protein and fat help to balance out sugar in our bodies, which means that your kids will experience less of a sugar rush after eating these cookies. Choose a brand with just organic peanuts and salt. Avoid added oils and sugars.
Check out our nut and seed butter guide to learn more about peanut butter, or substitute with any nut butter of your choice! This cookie is delicious with sun butter and almond butter too!
Pasture Raised, Organic Eggs
Not all eggs are created equal! Pasture raised eggs are not only higher in essential nutrients, but they also come from happy, healthy hens – you’ll be able to taste the difference! Look for pasture raised certification to make sure you’re getting the highest quality eggs, or look for local farmers in your community.
Organic Coconut Sugar
Organic coconut sugar adds a lot of sweetness with minimal processing. We always try to choose less processed forms of sugar (like coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup) because they retain more of their nutrients than highly processed sugar. Coconut sugar is one of our favorite sweeteners, and it’s perfect for baking. You can swap out white sugar for coconut sugar in all of your favorite recipes for an easy upgrade.
Mineral Sea Salt
Unrefined sea salt contains a host of minerals. Our bodies need a range of minerals to be healthy, and unfortunately, much of our food supply has declined in mineral content because of poor tending to soils and changes in our diets. These necessary minerals are not present in table salt or iodized salt. Plus, sea salt really does taste better! A sprinkle of sea salt on top of these healthy cookies adds a mineralized kick.
Chocolate Chips
High quality dark chocolate has a ton of antioxidants and a range of healthy minerals. Mast chocolate chips are our favorite because they were found to be the lowest in heavy metals in a study conducted by consumer report. Their short ingredients list and organic ingredients make them the perfect choice. Whatever brand you buy, look for organic, minimal ingredients, and fair trade if possible.
You can easily leave out the chocolate chips for a pure peanut butter version of this recipe!
Each high-quality ingredient in this simple 5 ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe works well together, like how the fats and proteins slow down sugar absorption! Everything – yes, even the sugar – is rich in essential nutrients. But the best part is how easy this recipe is to make. With just a few minutes and a few simple ingredients, you and your children can have a healthy, nutrient dense treat that will leave you satisfied.
Be sure to get your kids involved in the baking process, and explain to them the value of healthy, natural sugars like coconut sugar!
Easy and Nutrient-Dense 5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
Equipment
- Wooden mixing spoon
- Fork
- Unbleached Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic peanut butter
- 1 pasture raised egg
- ¼ cup organic coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup organic dark chocolate chips
- A few pinches of sea salt for finishing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F/170°C
- Mix the peanut butter, egg, and coconut sugar together until fully combined
- Form into 10 to 15 small balls, and place on a parchment lined baking sheet
- Press flat with a fork, making a hatch mark # by crossing two fork prints
- Place 3 chocolate chips on top
- Bake for 11-13 minutes
- Sprinkle with sea salt and enjoy!
Notes
- Choose an organic peanut butter with only peanuts and salt (no added palm oil or sugar!)
- Coconut sugar
- Choose local, pastured eggs for optimal freshness and nutrients.
- Vital Farms Pasture-Raised Eggs
- Pasture Raised Eggs from a local farmer
- Dark chocolate
- Choose a high quality mineral sea salt.
