Almond Flour and Maple Cookies

This small batch of Almond Flour and Maple Cookies are gluten-free and refined-sugar free, and they are easy to make!  Only one bowl is needed to make 6 soft and tender cookies full of almond flavor, sweetened with maple syrup, and finished with slivered almonds for a light and sweet treat.

Almond Flour Cookies – Gluten-Free

Full disclosure out of the gate – I am not a seasoned gluten-free baker.  I have had a bag of almond flour in my fridge for a while now.  With the intention of making French macarons.  Since I haven’t mustered up the courage to give the French cookies a try, I decided I need to make something before the flour goes bad.

Just a little insight into a self-taught home bakers mind.

What is Almond Flour?

Basically, blanched almonds that are ground to a powder.  That’s it.  So, using the almond flour instead of all-purpose flour is what makes these cookies gluten-free.  And yes, all of the other ingredients are gluten-free.  

What is the difference between Almond Flour and Almond Meal?

• Almond Flour – blanched almonds (no skins) ground to a fine powder.
• Almond Meal – almonds with the skins that is more coarse.

Source

Small Batch Almond Cookies

There are a few great things about this small batch of almond cookies (aside from being a small batch, of course):

• Easy to make – You only need one bowl.
• Gluten-Free – We’ve talked about that …
• Dairy-Free – We use melted coconut oil instead of butter.
• Refined-sugar free – These cookies are sweetened with maple syrup.  Which happens to go great with the flavor of almond!
• Almond galore – If you like almonds, you will (should) like these cookies.  The almond flavor is amped up by adding almond extract.  I know there is either a you love it or hate it opinion on almond extract.  I happen to love it. 

What do the almond cookies taste like?

• Taste – Almond (hee hee) with a slight sweetness.  The maple syrup does not overpower.  Thus, the cookies are not overly sweet.
• Texture – Sturdy yet very soft cookie.  Keep in mind, the cookies are made from almonds that have been ground to a powder.  The result is a flour that is not as fine as all-purpose flour.  So, these cookies have more bite to them.

What You Need To Make Almond Cookies

Ingredients

• Blanched Almond Flour  – I have tested this recipe with both Bob’s Red Mill and a brand from Walmart.  My preference is Bob’s Red Mill because it was a ground finer and free from almond skins.
• Baking Powder
• Salt
• Egg White – This acts as a binder and also helps with the rise of the cookies.
• Coconut Oil – The solid kind and I only use refined, because it doesn’t have a strong coconut flavor.
• Pure Maple Syrup
• Almond Extract
• Vanilla Extract – For more flavor, but optional.
• Sliced Almonds
• Coconut Sugar – Totally optional.  To sprinkle on top of the cookies.

Baking Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Mixing Bowl

Tips For Making Almond Flour and Maple Cookies

• Use blanched almond flour – This is almond flour that has been ground to a powder without the almond skins.
• Sift the almond flour – Along with the other dry ingredients.  Almond flour can clump together and we want all of the ingredients to mix homogenously.
• Use cold pressed refined coconut oil – I have tried virgin coconut oil, and it has too much of a coconut flavor for me.
• Only pure maple syrup – It costs a little more, but it is worth it!
• The recipe can be doubled – If you want to make a larger batch.
• The extracts are optional – Even the almond extract, if you don’t care for it.
• High altitude bakers – Your bake time may be closer to the 10 minute mark.

Now that I have opened the bag of almond flour, I suppose I’ll have to give those French macarons a try! 🙂

More Small Batch Cookie Recipes

• Small Batch Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Soft Apple Cookies With Caramel Icing
• Snickerdoodle Cookies (Small Batch)
• Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
• Lemon Shortbread Cookies