Caveman Cookies
I am a master negotiator.
I think I’ve mentioned before that I got High Paper in my Negotiation class in law school. (Let’s not talk about my Federal Tax grade. I don’t have to tell you who fills out the returns in our house.)
The key to a successful negotiation is to make the person on the other side think that you are completely caving in, when in actuality you aren’t giving up anything that truly impacts you at all.
Suckers.
Take, for example, my efforts to get Lulu excited about preschool this week. Last week was Puppy Week. Girlfriend slept with her backpack on. It’s a puppy backpack, naturally.
This week, unfortunately, was Dinosaur Week.
Dinosaurs are big.
Dinosaurs are scary.
Dinosaur crafts aren’t sparkly or glittery or cute. They look like this.
I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure it’s wrong to tell your kid their artwork looks like crap.
I resisted. It’s actually an egg. Either way, I have to keep it on our bookcase. Crap. I plan to “negotiate” it into the trash can.
Lulu was refusing to get dressed for preschool this morning, all in protest of her Paleolithic studies. It didn’t help that the “Tax Man” had gotten out an entire village of My Little Ponies for her and Gigi while I was at the gym. Way to set the stage for academia, dude.
And so I negotiated.
To the lay person “Get dressed for school and you can have a cookie for breakfast” would sound like bribery.
But this isn’t just any cookie. It’s a Caveman Cookie. Just like the dinosaurs ate.
Lulu thought she was getting away with something, when truly she had less maple syrup than she’d have had on her pancakes.
And guess what?
She totally caved.
Caveman Cookies
gluten-free, grain-free and Paleo-friendly
Makes 16 cookies
- 1 1/2 c. almond flour (directions follow)
- 2/3 c. almond butter or sunflower seed butter
- 1/2 c. honey or maple syrup
- 1 “flax” egg (1 T. ground flax + 3 T. water) or 1 organic egg
- 1/2 t. baking soda
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1/2 t. vanilla extract
- 3/4 c. chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If using a flax egg, mix together and set aside.
You can easily make your own almond flour using a high speed blender or food processor and blanched, raw almonds.
Simply put the almonds in your blender or food processor and grind until a fine flour forms. Don’t let it go too long or you’ll end up with almond butter. Two recipes in one!
Combine almond flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, cream almond or sunflower seed butter, honey or maple syrup, egg and vanilla.
Add almond flour mixture gradually until a dough forms, then fold in chocolate chips.
Scoop dough by the tablespoon onto a cookie sheet, spacing cookies at least an inch apart.
Bake for 11-12 minutes or until set.
Allow cookies to cool on pan for a minute or two before transferring to a cooling rack.
And suddenly, Lulu was dressed and ready for school.
And both girls wanted breakfast.
I asked Lulu, “Are you going to have these every day for Dinosaur Week?”
She roared, “YESSSSSS!” Gigi nodded. Pea Daddy smiled.
And then Lulu said, “But it’s not Dinosaur Week, Mom! It’s Dinosaur Month!”
And suddenly I realized who the master negotiator was.
Crap.
I love dinosaurs!! you will take my nursing test tomorrow & I will eat cookies??
Um…no. But good luck!
Oh, Mama Pea! Perfect timing! I was looking for a new cookie recipe. I’ve made your Con Cookies so often I know the recipe by heart. But I love them! These look great!
Is almond flour the same as almond meal?
Almond meal is not as finely ground as almond flour…but you could maybe just throw almond meal in your food processor/blender and turn it into almond flour? I haven’t tried it personally.
I used Trader Joe’s almond meal, which says it can be used as almond flour. Worked out fine. Maybe they have a bit more texture, but no complaints from husband!
Great!
I love how your posts read like stories – great “twist” at the end
I actually had a mock negotiation at school tonight, but the classmate with whom I was supposed to negotiate didn’t show up, so instead I had to negotiate with the supervising attorney (who already knew what my “client’ had authorized me to do). That was interesting! I made 2 types of breakfast cookies this past Sunday – definitely on the same page as you. Very clever name for the cookies!
I just have no idea how I am going to get her to go to preschool for the rest of the month. Thank heavens for Spring Break.
I wish some company would come out with cashew meal or walnut meal or something I could actually eat! I hadn’t even heard of peanut flour until every blogger was mourning it’s loss. I’ll have to make my own gluten-free, almond-free version of these. Because you don’t have to negotiate with me to eat cookies for breakfast!
And by “it’s” I mean “its”….naturally.
You can’t have almonds?! You can find peanut flour online pretty reasonably priced if you are interested.
Yeah apparently my body rejects anything delicious. Ooh, I’m going to have to look into peanut flour! I know I can have those.
Have you tried coconut flour? It’s another GF flour, but perhaps doesn’t fall into the nut category like almond or peanut! I’ve had great results with it.
Yes, I have! My girls just aren’t big coconut fans, although I’ve been able to sneak it in some “mug cakes” that they’ve really liked lately.
Oops, sorry…you were talking to Amber
Teehee, she clearly learned from the best! (and I’m really glad you clarified that egg early on because I was seeing what you do and wondering what was going on …)
Yeah, that would have been an awful looking cookie.
Awesome post. But isn’t it true for all of us: we’re happier doing things when they are made fun?
I love it when Mammas get creative.
And the cookies look fab as well. I’ll have to try them very soon
Thanks!
Love the art work
The cookies look amazing!
I lucked out, she threw it away herself this afternoon. But then spread the “nest” around the living room. Boo.
These look so good!! Going to whip some up asap!!
Your kids and the stories are the best!
Haha, well played, Lulu.
MamaPea, you keep prehistoric rockin’ these grain-free recipes. I dig ‘em like an archaeologist.
Me too! And the fun thing is, I brought some of these to a playdate with a friend last week and she I didn’t even know she was on a temporary elimination diet for health reasons, but we all could enjoy them!
They look crazy good! I love hearty cookies like these. YUM! I’d even put raisins in them. I know some people hate raisins, but I bet cavemen would have liked them
I bet you are right!
Love the GF goodness! Wonder if my dehydrated leftover nutpulp would work.
What’s with all the honey lately? You guys keeping bees out back?
I’ve never had an issue with honey. I’m trying to use less refined sugar and personally I think honey is a better choice for my kids.
I go through spells with natural sweeteners. They can get expensive and some just taste better in certain recipes. I love local honey and maple syrup and brown rice syrup. I try not to use agave because the experts can’t decide if it is good or not!!!
I usually switch between honey and maple syrup, depending on the recipe. I don’t really care for brown rice syrup (just a flavor thing) and I’m with you on agave!
Ok fair enough, i’m not the hugest fan of bees. I appreciate that you experiment with different sweeteners, I am in the midst of trying a lot of new ones out myself. I am on the outs with agave too, coconut nectar is preferable if looking for the same consistency at least in raw things, not sure how it bakes, but the coconut sugar bakes well.
I’ve been wanting to try coconut sugar! I hear good things!
This is great timing. I am addicted to making almond milk, trying to find just the right ratio’s. I can bake the almond meal and it should be like the flour….another recipe to add to my list of meals tomorrow(almond milk, pressure cooked black beans for chili, quinoa corn bread and now almond I mean caveman cookies)! The joy of being a stay at home mom who cooks everything….you can relate right??
Or course! Good luck!
I hope I fare as well with my negotiations in law school! And these cookies looks delicious!! I bet you could bribe just about anyone with them!
I love it when my kids things they win. Bwahahahahaha.
*think*
I saw the title of your post and thought it was too good to be true. I recently “healthified” my diet After being introduced to the idea of paleo. I have never felt better and my tummy is so much happier. I get so excited when I find a “paleo treat” I can have once in a while. And maybe if I am feeling nice, I will share with my hubby and kids
So glad this can fit into your lifestyle!
I love breakfast cookies. With a green smoothie? Probably the best breakfast ever. I’m definitely going to have to try these soon (I have also been trying to get into a less-gluten habit – bad stomach – so these are great to try for that, too!)
Your stories about your family make me laugh every. single. day.
Thanks…they make me laugh too.
LOL! That is all.
I’m so unbelievably excited that you posted a Paleo-friendly recipe! I transitioned to Paleo from a vegan diet, and I love to see examples of the two sides working together instead of fighting. Yay for real food!
I think there is a lot more common ground then people think…namely, as you said, eating REAL FOOD. I am totally for that.
Preach it, sista!
I’m a little disappointed to see non-vegan recommendations in your recipes lately. Organic butter, organic eggs? I thought this was a vegan blog….if someone wants to un-veganize it, that’s on them..but it just seems off to me that the recommendation is right there. Maybe without an easy out they’ll try the flax egg out because it’s part of your recipe?
You are totally entitled to your position and opinion, but I’ve always given a non-vegan option in all my recipes and in my book. Sorry you are disappointed!
MamaPea has always given options. She does not want to leave anyone out. Yes she is Vegan, but we all do the best we can with what we have and she knows this. This is why her blog is so great. Some people have to ease there way into a Vegan way of life and some people like to be Veganish like me. Nothing wrong with it all. I mix and match all the time.
I don’t really think writing vegan recipes as a vegan ‘leaves anyone out.’ If her audience prefers to not be 100% vegan, no big deal…but writing a vegan recipe and standing behind it doesn’t alienate anyone.
I’d these are anything like Anytime Cookies, I am in trouble because those.are.awesome. I will be trying these for sure!!
*she caved* hahah get it… caveman – caves… wow..
Ok, I’m overtired – I’m actually laughing out loud – it’s bad… very bad.
These however sound very good!
I’m glad you caught that
Can I make these even if it’s not Dinosaur week at work? my mood has been like a scary dinosaur. Same thing, right?
I want to live in your cave! And eat this “breakfast” every day of Dinosaur Month.
Really, almond flour makes everything better. My favorite cookies of all times are Elana’s Pantry ~ they taste so sneakily decadent. Good for growing dinosaurs
I actually just got her cookbook! Her blog is a new find for me.
I think this is a classic case of the apple falling very near to the tree…
How funny. I was just thinking of how to make almond flour the other day. Would raw or roasted almonds do better?
I don’t think they would grind as easily or nicely and you’d get a kind of chunkier texture. Plus I’m not sure they wouldn’t absorb the liquid components as well.
At least you can say you taught her well?
I can’t blame her, when these cookies might be up for grabs!
Ok.. maybe I’m just missing it, but what’s the texture on these cookies? Are they more muff-ookie-ish or crispy/chewy?
These sound perfectly appropriate for me and my unnatural obsession with velociraptors!
They aren’t muffin like at all, but they are a little moister than your average cookie. I’d say chewy, almost like a brownie or a blondie.
Awesome! Thanks!
I have been really busy and tired since before Valentines Day. I get many post e-mails from the many blogs I have joined over the years. I usually read a few different post a day when i get home, but for a while I just do not read any at all. I just delete them with some guilt. There is one exception. The exception is your blog. I look forward to it at the end of my very draining stressful days. I look to your recipes every night for inspiration or to try and replicate when I take my last bit of energy and use it to make dinner. I even managed to find some time and make the almond cups that you posted for the Oscar viewing party. The salad in the jar has saved money and time over the last few weeks for my boyfriend and I at lunch time at work. Your non-food post have made me laugh when nothing was funny that day at all! I just want to say thank you. You really have something special going on. You probably know this but I just wanted to say thank you and keep it coming it really makes my day and has helped me through a very busy time:)
Thank you, Shara. Your appreciative comment really made my night. I hope things lighten up for you soon and that you have a relaxing weekend.
There’s no way out, I just have to make those cookies on the weekend! Sadly, almond or sunflower butter are no options for me, so I’ll try them with tahini instead! I’ll report back how they turn out.
That should be interesting! If you can do peanut butter (and I’m guessing you can’t) you could try that as well.
Smart little one you’ve got there!
I have an indecent amount of almond flour that’s been in my fridge for nearly an indecent time. I need to get it out of there and I’d love to do it with cookies. I shall be a cavegirl today!
Haha, funny how they are always too smart for their own good.
Your stories always make me laugh! I love your blog because you are so “personable” and yes you are “funny” too
Guess you will have to make cookies for breakfast the rest of the month
Happy weekend to you and the family! <3
Ohhh dinosaur month…what other tricks do you have up your sleeve? Perhaps the lovely dinosaur ‘egg’ can make it in to the next photoshoot again. That thing really is a…er…beaut!
LOL! Thats awesome! Lulu cracks me up! These came at the PERFECT time. My niece who has celiac is coming up for a visit this weekend. Now I know what treats to make! : ) OH – and the bread turned out this time. You ROCK. Its so soft and chewy! LOVE it. Thank you!!!
We have friends coming for a playdate today who have Celiac as well. I only hope there are still some of these left! So glad the bread turned out for you!
haha, I love this story
Heh…when I first saw the picture of the egg, I thought it was a replica of dinosaur doodoo…I guess her preschool teacher has a good sense of humor!
Great recipe! I now know what’s for breakfast in this house tomorrow and I even have all the ingredients: )
Hahahaha I love this post! Youre girls are as witty and funny as you ( well, almost!) plus I love that you posted this recipe today when I was just looking for a delish yet simple cookie recipe to whip up in the morning! Such a lifesaver you are! Thank you:)
Ha.Ha. Could you crush the crap egg and put it in a batch of cookies? That could take care of both your problems. : )
Nice. I do believe there is a baby dinosaur inside.
Can you use almond meal instead of almond flour? What is the difference?
And, love the wit and humor of your blog and book. Next life of yours: stand up comic!!
I don’t think I could be a stand-up comic. I do think it would be a nice change to do something other than food for a bit.
Hehe I guess you’ll have to fire up the oven and make a lot more of these since March has only just begun! I also think Kelly’s (above) is a fabulous idea. Say you ran out of flax so you needed something else to make up the egg quantities!
Thank God for Spring Break.
Oh your stories are what I look forward to first thing in the morning before I start work.
I love the “crap” artwork…I too have throw away many of piece once the artist child had forgotten about it.
I love these cookies and can’t wait to make my own almond flour…hopefully it goes well.
Have a great Friday Mama Pea!
Good luck! And have a great weekend.
I love using almond flour in baking because it’s healthier than flour!
Well, considering my family has eaten 5 loaves of bread in the last week, I think our digestive tracts could use a little break from the gluten.
Totally thought that was a turd. The egg, not the cookies.
Would totally sleep overnight in a cave if I had those cookies waiting for me in the morning.
P.S. How on earth do you keep your silpat sheets so clean? Mine look like…crap. Too many oatie droppings.
Am I not supposed to wash them? I do, with hot soapy water.
Obviously, I’m not scrubbing enough.
Those look delicious! I want someone to bribe me to go to school with cookies…
The downsides of growing up.
Perfect!!!! I deep down know this had something to do with me. Or not. But I’m going to pretend.
Everything I do, Jenna, I do it for you.
LOVE that you’ve posted a vegan paleo friendly recipe, as I’m trying to cut carbs!
i just ordered more almond flour…5 lbs worth. i can’t wait to experiment
[stilllll thinking about those pop tarts haha!] these look delicious!
I feel your pain on the dinosaur egg. I’ve made a pact with myself to only keep artwork that displays handprints or sweet sayings that I can look back on later. I mean, really, my son brings home at least 4 papers a day! The stuff he’s really proud of goes on the fridge temporarily. But I have to be really careful to shove the others way down in the trash because he has caught me at it before, and that’s the worst guilt ever.
One thing we do is keep one box for each of the girls under our bed and we put the really special pieces we want to keep in them and then recycle the rest. If the girls get upset, we simply go through their box with them and they instantly feel better.
So.many.puns.
I just died laughing. Just what I needed at 5.30am before work. Come with me to keep me company?
Um…no.
But I hope you have a great day!
Just made these and they are SO good! I ground oats instead of almonds, due to what was in my pantry–worked great! I just love your blog and book; thank you so much!
Thank YOU, Lexi!
Yes! I was scouring the comments to see if I could find anyone who used a different type of flour since my son can’t have nuts. Now I will be able to make these!
Yay for a paleo-friendly cookie! Hubby and I follow a paleo diet and I’ve been craving a cookie like treat like mad lately. Thank you so much for this recipe!
You are quite welcome–enjoy!
I am taking notes so that I can bribe (or negotiate) with Adrienne when she’s older and has to go to school during dinosaur week. But until then, do you think she’d nap longer if I gave her cookies before hand?
Speaking of “eggs,” I think you mean not 1 “flax” egg (3 T. ground flax + 1 T. water) but 1 “flax” egg (1 T. ground flax + 3 T. water)? I love your blog, Mama Pea!!!
Yes, oh my! Thank you!
Bahahahaha This just made my morning. Thanks Mama Pea!
Looks like an ideal breakfast to me! Win-win situation!
A friend shared this link with me.
These cookies will go great with my latest picture book ME WANT PET! (March 2012, Simon & Schuster).
Ooga!
Tammi
Awesome, thanks Tammi!
Someday soon, before you can blink an eye, you will no longer have interesting artwork decorating your house, or anyone to beg to eat because your girls will be grown up and gone (this just happened around here). I don’t think I like it at all, so I think I’m going to make a batch of these cookies and eat them all by myself. Hmmm…maybe there is a silver lining after all.
Oh sadness! But I’m still not displaying the poop egg.
Have a great day, Julie!
Ooh I love that these are sweetened naturally – and I have never met a cookie I did not like or want. So I kinda know what baking I’m doing this weekend…!
Love this recipe! Do you think I can turn the recipe into a caveman pie for my b-day this weekend? Just make it and plop it into a cake or pie pan? What do you think? I’ve recently gone gluten free so I can’t use your other chocolate chip cookie pie recipe….
I think that would be a great idea in a cake pan! And topped with some ice cream, of course.
And happy birthday!
Yay Mama Pea is dabbling in Paleo recipes! Love it! Can’t wait to make these!
Somehow they always seem a step ahead don’t they? These look very yummy.
WOW, those look soooo good! Definitely a must try in my kitchen!
Woohoo…those look delish!
And that egg…*whistle* beautiful shade of blue!
Thanks for mingling in another GF recipe. Can I hug ya?
I’m going to anyway!
{{{{Mamapea}}}}}
Kere
I like hugs.
Yay for the gluten free recipe! I bet these would be great with raw coconut and nuts too!
Sounds like your girls could get top paper in law school too..like mother, like daughter?
Dinosaurs for a month? What could you possibly learn about for that long? I would be down in the dumps too. Cookies for breakfast though are always a good thing, especially with the chocolate.
Yummmm. I need to try these. I love baking with almond meal. I buy in 5 pound bags from Honeyville farms and it’s pretty economical. Thanks for sharing!
I love the texture of almond flour. I also buy from Honeyville Farms but I like the idea of making my own in smaller batches when I need it. I just need to get myself some honey/maple syrup and I’ll be able to make these.
These look fabulous, the perfect hearty snack … or lunch. Great negotiation ammo for hubby and some needed garden work.
Ok so I’m making these now and they are super thick. I used coconut flour because that’s what I had on hand. Should I just cook them and see how they turn out?
Coconut flour isn’t a great sub. It’s super absorbent. You may want to just double the rest of your ingredients.
Yummy! My roommate made almond cookies ones and I couldn’t believe how awesome they were. I will have to share this recipe to her.
I have been looking the perfect textured, easy-to-make, healthy breakfast cookie that would be hearty enough to hold me for a few hours, sweet enough to satisfy my morning sugar craving and yet, still amazingly, deliciously yummy…..Eureka!!!!
Thank you, Sarah!!!!
I have to add: There is not one recipe of yours that I have tried that I have not absolutely loved!! You have made going totally veggie so easy…..even my meat eating husband and friends are happily devouring the results of each of your recipes! I am anxiously awaiting the release of cookbook number two!
Thank you, Kelly! I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipes!
Yum! I need to make these cookies!
I’m planning to make your Red, White and Blue Pancakes tomorrow morning…is there a reason why no oil was added to the recipe? Should I add a little? Would it make any difference with it?
Thanks! Hope you are having a great weekend!
Feel free to add a touch for a lighter pancake! Enjoy the rest of your weekend as well!
Just made a batch of ‘breakfast cookies” (haha) and teased the kids saying that I wouldn’t need to make them again….
My son(5) said, “100 infinity love them!” *big grin*
They are delicious! Just added coconut to the second tray of cookies.
(and subbed some(~1/8C) of my almond flour for gr flax.)
I fear they aren’t going to last a day in this house!
Guess I should just up and make another batch now!
TY!
K
To clarify…I subbed the flax seed when I initially made the batch, not at the time when I added the coconut.
I added the coconut while the first tray was baking.
Just made the caveman cookies, with the addition of sesame seeds, peanuts and raisins, instead of chocolate. So good! I have been thinking about your tatortots and wondering if chia would bind them? Let us know how long the ‘egg’ stays on your bookshelf!
Made these this weekend SOOOOOOOOOO good!! I used all natural peanut butter though. Yum yum!
holyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Okay I love these. i swore off cookies a week ago and now im baking my second batch.
Yay! That’s what I like to hear!
Made these tonight. Mine didn’t spread out as much as your’s but, they still tasted yummy! In fact, they kind of look like dough balls!
My first batch did too! I was sad when my second batch spread
I just came across your website today by recommendation. I’m trying this whole vegan thing. Your writing style makes me bust out laughing while sitting alone in front of my tv. Hard to do. The fact that you watch The Bachelor for the exact same reasons I do and feel just as guilty about it is just icing on the cake. I feel the beginning of a great relationship (one sided, of course) here. And hopefully a healthier me too!
I hope it’s not totally one-sided! I am so glad you found me. Thank you for saying hello!
So, I just made these and they are fantastic! However, I learned today that using Sunbutter in baked goods has a tendency to turn the inside green! The chlorogenic acid in the seeds has a chemical reaction with the baking powder. It was really weird when I bit into it and then I had to do some research to make sure they were okay. Maybe my husband will refuse to eat them and I’ll have the whole batch for myself!
Yes, that is true! Maybe you should have made them for St. Patty’s?
So I have had this recipe saved on the home page of my phone since you posted it and FINALLY got to make the cookies today. I am in live. This is the very first recipe I have used in 6 months since we started our new diet that I haven’t had to change a SINGLE thing. Thanks so much!
Dang autocorrect recently started changing “love” to “live!” I am in LOVE with these cookies!
So awesome! Thank you, Ashley!!!
We made these yesterday and they were a HUGE hit! I let my girls eat them for breakfast and they giggled in delight as they thought they were getting away with something!
I can think of a lot worse breakfasts! This is a keeper recipe for sure! Thank you!
Your girls are so lucky! Glad you enjoyed.
These taste great even with unsweetened chocolate chunks! And a little less honey! (on gf&sf diet but allowed honey sparingly)
Hello from the UK
I just gave these a go. i didn’t have almond butter so i replaced it with 4eggs and porridge oats then the vanilla with cinnamon.
Turned out ok but i see i missing some flavour without the almond butter, so next time i will either but it in or add mashed banana or apple sauce.
Do you have any other recommendations on what i could use instead or how to ramp up the protein without using protein powder….i don’t like using overly processed stuff.
thank yooooooou
seb
Good cookies!!!!! Tonight I made these, tempeh chili and the almond ginger dressing so I can put it on everything. Loooove me some Mama Pea recipes! On another note, I know you made some recent dietary changes because of some deficiencies. I’m afraid I’m on the same track and I don’t know what to do about it. I guess some experimenting is in order.
Hilarious! Fab post, photos and recipe!
Made a huge batch of these with various variations this afternoon. Started with the almond butter and chocolate chips, but quickly ran out of almond butter. Used cashew butter for the 2nd batch and crunchy organic peanut butter for the 3rd batch. 3rd batch I used mini MnMs as well. I’ve been wheat free since before last Christmas and paleo-ish since June for digestive issues and wheat allergy. I literally almost cried the first bite I took. I love this recipe and am definitely going to be sharing and featuring on my blog!!!
I made a batch of these cookies for santa last month. I did a review of them on my site, but more interesting is my three year old’s review. The “paleo cookies” are this recipe the “half cookies” are my modification. They are a tie!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbWeoqeP73c&feature=player_embedded
I saw another person mention “con cookies” can you link me to those? Thanks! These look delicious going to make them now!
Here you go: http://peasandthankyou.com/recipage/?recipe_id=6000689