I adapted these Buttery Pecan Drops over 15 years ago removing the white flour, butter, and 1 cup of white sugar (yikes).  They have evolved once again, and here they are for your eating enjoyment.  I made these for the Fitbella and Open Door Charity event this week.

The ladies loved them and commented that the cookie was not overly sweet and so buttery even though butter is MIA in this recipe.  I should say that I love butter (real butter and no impostors) but prefer coconut oil in this recipe.

This cookie could be eaten raw.  This is one cookie dough I would let my daughter eat before baking it!  With that said, something special happens when you bake pecans…..oh my, are they buttery good!

Ingredients

2 cups pecans
1/2 cup ground flax (learn more)
1/4 cup chia seeds (learn more)
3 tablespoons raw coconut oil (learn more)
1/4- 1/2 cup coconut nectar (learn more)
2 teaspoons coffee extract or hazelnut
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons date sugar, optional, to roll in (learn more)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place pecans, flax,  and chia seeds in Vitamix or food processor and pulse to very fine like flour.
3.  Add oil, coconut nectar and vanilla extract and pulse till mixture is sticky.
4.  Using a tablespoon, press a scoop and round dough onto cookie sheet.
5.  Press date sugar on top, and bake for 12 -15 minutes.

Tips:

Taste dough to make sure it is sweet enough. Keep in mind this isn’t a sweet type of cookie,  it’s more buttery and nutty.  I suggest if you like sweet, go for 1/2 cup of coconut nectar.  Baking the cookie enhances it’s flavors so don’t panic.  For a raw cookie follow same directions but forget the oven! The raw cookie will keep in the refrigerator for at least a few days.  Date sugar is still considered raw as it is dehydrated at low temperatures, which is why I love this sugar alternative.  Date sugar is a whole food left with nutrients after it is dehydrated and ground up.

I wish all cookies could be as good for you and taste as yummy as this one!  Remember I was a girl scout whose mama was the cookie chair person!  I love a good cookie or two…or three!

With a spoonful of cookie dough,

Dawn

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