Sugar-Free Vanilla Coconut Collagen Cookies (Paleo w/ Vegan Option)

This week just happens to be Mind Body Green’s No Sugar Week, so I figured these incredibly delicious no-sugar cookies were very appropriate. MBG’s No Sugar Week has caused quite a stir on the Internet, but I won’t get into that here. I say, DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. For anyone who is doing a sugar detox, who is on any sort of formal sugar-free protocol relating to their health like I currently am, or who just wants some sugar-free cookies – this one’s for you. If you’re following a ketogenic or low-carb diet, these cookies are the perfect treat.

I have never gotten so many requests to post a recipe before. I’m glad you guys are into my sugar-free-baking-fest! It also makes me really excited because this is one of my favorite things I’ve ever made. I’m truly addicted to them. They take almost no time to whip together, they have zero sugar, and they’re completely delicious. All you need is one bowl, a few ingredients, and an oven. I like ’em plain, covered in coconut butter, dipped in almond butter… every way possible.

These paleo, sugar-free vanilla coconut collagen cookies are moist, fluffy, coconut-vanilla heaven. They’re so soft and scrumptious. Not too sweet, obviously, since there’s no sugar, but they are sweet enough to curb the cookie craving. Sometimes you just need a cookie, ya know? At first I thought that maybe I would be the only person who would like these. You know, me with the overly sensitive taste buds. Red bell peppers are truly too sweet for me sometimes. That’s the thing about detoxing from sugar – it really does retrain your taste buds.

However, I had quite a few people taste test these for me so that I could test that theory out. I was wrong, thankfully. All of my taste testers were thoroughly obsessed. Two of my friends ate them all in one sitting. One of my friends had me make another batch for her within 12 hours. I’m very proud of that success rate.

Not only are these cookies sugar-free and delicious, but they’re also COLLAGEN COOKIES. I can’t stress enough how much I love collagen and how incredible it is to add into your diet. (You can read all about why I love collagen here.) Collagen rebuilds the gut lining, promotes healthy joints, aids in muscle repair and recovery, supports strong and healthy hair, skin, and nails, and much much more. You def get your protein in these, that’s for sure. If you follow me on social media, you know that the Vital Proteins Vanilla & Coconut Collagen is my absolute favorite. That collagen protein is exactly what inspired these cookies, and it’s the key to their deliciousness.

There is no better investment than a container of this stuff. Truly. I absolutely credit it for how quickly my hair grows.

Anyways, this cookie recipe has become a staple in my kitchen and is probably the only cookie I will ever need in my life. Vanilla and coconut are two of my favorite flavors, and the combination does not get old. Even if you don’t usually like coconut, I would suggest giving these a try! They’re not “tropical” at all – they’re mellow and divine.

The way you get sweetness from these sugar-free cookies is from the Vital Proteins, cinnamon, vanilla, and almond butter. I love adding nut butter to baked goods because it improves the texture and adds a little bit of sweetness. The nut butter I always use for baking is the one from Thrive Market, which I talked about in my post about my Caffeine-Free Coffee Almond Banana Bread Muffins! Those also happen to be sugar-free, if you’re in the market for another sugar-free recipe!

Like I’ve said before, I get almost all of my baking supplies from Thrive Market, for convenience and to save money. If you don’t already know about Thrive, they have a ton of healthy food brands and safe personal care items in stock. You order online and they deliver straight to your door, and the prices are much cheaper than at the grocery store. When it comes to baking, this is especially important. Coconut flour, almond flour, nuts, nut butters, coconut flakes, and most other items that I commonly use for baking happen to be some of the most expensive at the grocery store. I save hundreds of dollars every year with a Thrive Membership.

Anyways, Thrive is offering a free jar of my fave almond butter with your first order if you shop here! So if you’re swooning over this recipe already, hop onto Thrive Market, get your baking supplies, snag a free jar of almond butter to use in this recipe, AND GET COOKIN’!

I think these are the perfect summer cookie. Chocolate doesn’t scream summer to me. Vanilla and coconut are very seasonal, don’t you think? Unlike other cookies, these will not leave you feeling heavy, overloaded with sugar, and like you need a big glass of milk followed by an immediate dentist appointment.

They’re not too heavy, but also not too light. I hate when I eat a cookie and immediately want 20 more afterward because I felt like I ate air. You’ll definitely be satisfied after these. That’s the beauty of having a protein and fat-filled cookie – it actually fills you up. Normal, sugar-filled cookies spike your blood sugar and just make you even hungrier, which leads to the out-of-control sugar cravings and the whole-box binges on the unhealthy treats. Let’s avoid that. I mean, there’s definitely a time for a classic sugar-filled cookie. But not always.

The good news is, these cookies are actually healthy. Eat them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snack – ALL THE TIME. If you’re limiting sugar for any reason, want to be extra health-conscious, or just want a YUMMY, QUICK COOKIE, you must try these!

Sugar-Free Vanilla Coconut Collagen Cookies (Paleo w/ Vegan Option)

Total time: 20 minutes

Makes: About 10 cookies (depending on how big you make them)

Ingredients:

2 eggs (You can also sub two chia eggs or two flax eggs to make these vegan. To make one chia or flax egg, mix one tablespoon of chia or flax with 3 tablespoons of water. Make two of those, then leave in the fridge to gel up for at least 5 minutes.)
1/3 cup coconut flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp almond butter (Make sure it’s sugar-free! I like the one from Thrive Market, Artisana, or MaraNatha.)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp vanilla (also check that it’s sugar-free)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 scoop Vital Proteins Vanilla & Coconut Collagen Peptides
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350*F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix the coconut flour, sea salt, baking soda, Vital Proteins, and cinnamon in a bowl.
Add in the eggs, coconut oil, almond butter, and vanilla. Mix everything thoroughly until it’s all well-combined.
Mix in the coconut flakes until they’re spread evenly throughout the batter.
Use a spoon or your hands to grab some dough and form cookies on the parchment paper. I prefer to make mine about two inches wide. You can press down a little to flatten them.
Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 20 minutes.
Enjoy!