Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

My mother-in-law never lets us go home empty-handed.  This past Easter was no exception.  Along with full bellies, we also got sent home with a bunch of bananas, a couple chocolate rabbits, and two containers of raw unsalted almonds.  On the car ride home, it occurred to me how amazing these three ingredients would be in some cookies.

Lord, was I right!

 I love using bananas in recipes in place of butter, oil, or sugar.  They're so naturally creamy and add a wonderful texture to these cookies.  Bananas are high in potassium, which may help to combat headaches (having low levels of potassium can be a cause of headaches) and high blood pressure, and also have quite a bit of fiber in them, keeping you full and your colon happy.  Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can be converted to serotonin, helping you to be more happy.  But what could make you happier than cookies?

 Almonds are also pretty lovely.  Technically a seed (the seed of the fruit of the almond, which is related to peaches - think of the "pit" of the peach and how it looks similar to an almond in its shell), almonds are full of energy-giving nutrients.  Although almonds are high in fat, the fats actually help your heart to function, protecting you against cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol.  Almonds have the trace minerals of manganese, copper, and riboflavin, which help give you a boost of energy when you're feeling drained.  Bonus:  a 1/4 cup of almonds contains more protein than an egg.  Pretty awesome.

And then, the chocolate.  While my Easter bunny (he's headless now) isn't the typical 88% chocolate I eat and consider healthy, dark chocolate has been proven to be good for you.  Not like I need any proof to eat it.  If you think about it, though, chocolate comes from a plant, so like any other vegetable, fruit, or seed, it contains health benefits.  A small amount of super dark chocolate can lower both your blood pressure and cholesterol, even though it has a high fat content.

The best part?  Bananas, almonds, and chocolate are full of antioxidants.  Oh, and they taste good, too.  The cookie turns out a little bit firm, yet still soft.  The heat and sweetness of the melted chocolate mixed with the crunch of the almonds adds a luscious complexity to this simple cookie, and the banana adds great texture and taste, but not in an overwhelming way.

 Banana Almond Chocolate Cookies (Gluten Free)

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1/2 cup millet flour
• 1/4 cup gluten free oats
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 large mashed banana
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your choice)
• 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate (or chocolate chips)
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds
• 1 teaspoon stevia

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and grease a baking sheet.  In a mixing bowl, stir together your dry ingredients.  Add the banana and almond milk, and stir until everything is incorporated.  Taste it.  Do you want more cinnamon?  More stevia?  More chocolate?  Go for it.  Feel it.  Does it need more milk?  More banana?  Experiment.  Make them yours.  Spoon onto your baking sheet, and let the magic happen in your oven for about 15-20 minutes, until the edges turn golden brown and the centers are solid.  Eat one slowly, letting all the flavors and textures merge together on your tongue.  Delicious, right?
Yields:  15 cookies

Before you go off to bake these cookies, don't forget to enter to win Amy Green's Simply Gluten Free and Sugar Free cookbook here!  The deadline to enter is midnight tomorrow (Thursday).  I'll announce the winner on Friday.