Table of Contents
Introduction
Monster cookies are a tasty treat and if you love the taste of almond butter as well as the chewy texture of cookies then this dish should fit the bill. Almond butter monster cookies are yummy, proteinaceous and contain healthy fats, thus they are perfect for indulgence without any harm. In this guide, you will learn how to make these cookies from scratch and from where and how to make them healthy and the variations depending on the diet preferences. Let’s get started!
Almond Butter Monster Cookies
Large and thin cookies where the oats and chocolate chips as well as peanut butter has been added in large quantities. But will it be beneficial to implement peanut butter when we could implement say almond butter which is even healthier? Almond butter is sticky and the taste is a little delicious; hence, when added to the cookie batter, it augments the cookies’ sweetness and gives the cookies a creamy and slightly nutty feel. These cookies are ideal to take during the summer and you don’t feel like you are having something that is healthy because you are having cookies.
Almond Butter Monster Cookies are ideal whether you need something to munch on after your training or any time of the day when you are feeling very hungry or even when you want something sweet to eat. In addition, they are versatile, and therefore, can be designed in ways that would be fitting for the gluten-free, vegan, and many other such diets.
The Health Benefits of Almond Butter
Almond butter isn’t just delicious, it’s packed with nutrients that can offer numerous health benefits:
- Rich in Protein: Almond butter contains protein content which helps repair damaged muscles thus makes these cookies appropriate for individuals with an active lifestyle.
- High in Healthy Fats: While peanut butter may be rich in monounsaturated fats, almond butter is richer in the same fat which has been proven to lower LDL cholesterol thus being beneficial to the heart.
- Good Source of Fiber: You may consume fiber in almond butter that promotes digestion as well as allows you to minimize cravings between meals.
- Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals: Many vitamins including vitamin E, magnesium and calcium are found in almond butter.
- Low in Sugar: Almond butter also has less sugar added to it as compared to other nut butters so for people who want to limit their intake of sugar it is preferable.
The following health benefits of almond butter make it perfect for use in baking and giving a healthy twist to the conventional recipes.
Ingredients and Tools Needed for the Recipe
To help with the preparation process, prepare the following ingredients and equipment to make the baking process efficient.
Ingredients
- A cup of almond butter whether creamy type or crunchy type as per the consumer’s taste.
- 1 cup rolled oats – be sure to use GMO-free oats and if you have celiac disease or intolerance to gluten then feel free to use gluten-free oats.
- ½ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar which has less health implications as compared to regular table sugar.
- ¼ cup plus 1/2 cup chocolate chips; preferably dark chocolate to reduce the sweetness of the cookies.
- 1/4 cup honey or agave syrup (you may want to make it even more natural and use organic)
- 1 large egg, however, substituting flax seeds for the egg can also be used for vegan preference.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- Something like a teaspoon of sea salt (This is totally optional, but it does a lot in enhancing the taste of the dish).
Tools
- Turning and beating tools (large and medium)
- Hand mixer or a standing mixer if available
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
Check Out: Monster Ice Cream Cookies: Delicious 7 Steps Guide.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Almond Butter Monster Cookies
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
First of all, let me introduce some important steps while preparing any dish; First of all, pre-heat your oven and wait until it will be hot at 350 °F (175 °C). When pouring the mixture into a baking tray for roasting, it is advised that a laminated parchment paper should be used on the tray so that when roasting they do not stick on the tray making cleaning hard.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
The ingredients could also be folded by hand or with an electric beater until the mix turned to be smooth and thick like thick batter.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Put rolled oats, brown sugar, baking soda and sea salt into the wet ingredients. Stir only until all the ingredients have been mixed evenly in the bowl. Your batter should be thick, and when you plop it into the water should be doughy.
Step 4: Fold in the Mix-Ins
Distribute and fold the chocolate chips gently. However, you can also add other optional ingredients which you will include at this stage; the ingredients include chopped nuts, dried fruits or seeds.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Scooping the dough with tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop the portions onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Each ball should just be slightly flattened to allow for even baking, space them out since they will spread out a little.
Step 6: Bake
Put the baking sheet with the cookies still inside the oven and bake for another 10-12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies will turn slightly brown. The cookies should be soft and chewy, thus the cookies should not be baked for a long time.
Step 7: Cool
After that take out the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 mins then transfer to the wire rack. This is because cookies need some time to harden and this is the best time that they are left to crisp.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Batch
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: With baking the opposite of over mixing results into what is referred to as tough cookies. Mix only enough to mix together the ingredients.
- Use Creamy Almond Butter: For a nuttier texture, buy natural peanut butter, but if you need a creamy butter, then go for creamy almond butter. Finely cut almond butter will produce slightly more crisp cookies than smooth almond butter.
- Adjust Sweetness: The amount of sweetener can be adjusted based on the preference that you hold in relation to the food. If you do not like cookies so sweet, then with cooking you can use less brown sugar or honey.
- Chill the Dough: If the cookies are to be thick then the dough should be cooled for 30 minutes before it is baked. This helps to restrict the appearance of the cookies on the interaction surface or reduce cookie degradation.
- Keep an Eye on Baking Time: Do note that every oven is unique; thus, I recommend pulling your cookies out of the oven at 10 minutes, at most.
Variations and Substitutions for Dietary Restrictions
If your family has specific dietary restrictions, you will find that Almond Butter Monster Cookies can be quickly modified for them. Here are some variations:
- Gluten-Free: Be sure to use gluten-free oats when preparing the crunchy granola recipe if you want it to be a completely gluten-free recipe.
- Vegan: Substitute the egg with flax egg whereby you mix one spoon of ground flaxseed with three spoons of water, and replace honey with maple syrup.
- Lower Sugar: Replace the brown sugar with coconut sugar or for an improved low-calorie sugar, use erythritol.
- Keto-Friendly: Replace oats using unsweetened shredded coconut or almond flour, and swap sugar with low-carb sweetener such as stevia.
- Nut-Free: In case you are a nut allergic, you may replace the almond butter with sunflower seed butter, to keep up the nutty flavors.
Conclusion and Enjoying Your Homemade Almond Butter Monster Cookies
The almond butter monster cookies are a healthy twist to the normal monster cookies recipes. These cookies contain healthy fat, protein and can be enjoyed in a number of flavors and best of all can be used as a snack. No matter if you are preparing for your family, friends or just for yourself, these cookies will suit you correctly. Butter them with a glass of milk, or take them with coffee at break time during the day.
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FAQs
1. Can I freeze almond butter monster cookies?
Yes! These cookies should be stored in a cool dry place and it is preferred to store them in an airtight container and freeze them for 3 months maximum. To eat, let them cool back to room temperature or if you want to eat warm bread you put it in the oven for a few minutes.
2. How can I make my cookies softer?
If the cookies are light and lofty one has to bake them for less time and then store the cookies in an airtight jar or box. Another thing that should also be considered is putting some bread into the container since this will enable it to retain some moisture.
3. Can I add other mix-ins to the recipe?
Absolutely! If desired, feel free to include nuts and seeds or raisins to create more texture and flavor variations or even white chocolate chips.