Mighty, mighty coconut sugar!

As many of you know, I have cut out white flour and white sugar from my diet completely (except for my one cheat meal per week, which I highly recommend to any dieter in the world). As a baker and dessert lover both, this was not a fun change at first.

But then...I discovered coconut sugar.

Coconut sugar is slightly less sweet than white sugar and is made from the sap of coconut flowers, so it is completely natural and plant-based. The glycemic index is lower those of white or other processed sugars, so it doesn't peak your blood sugar so harshly. And it's yummy!

With coconut sugar, I've tried out a number of recipes, but my favorite has to be my version of a chocolate coconut cookie (though coconut sugar doesn't exactly taste like coconut, it pairs well with actual coconut shreds). Try it for yourself!

Healthy chocolate coconut cookies:
1 c. coconut sugar
1/2 c. agave nectar
1 c. butter, softened
1 t vanilla
2 eggs
2 c. quick oats
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/3 c. cocoa powder
1 1/2 t baking soda
Pinch salt
1 c. chocolate chips (you can make these yourself with coconut sugar too!)
1 c. unsweetened, shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350. Combine first 5 ingredients and mix well. Combine next 5 ingredients in separate bowl. Combine two mixtures, add chocolate chips and coconut. On parchment-lined cookie sheets, scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough. Bake 10-12 minutes. Enjoy!