Healthy Heart Beet Cookies for Valentine's Day with a secret ingredient :)

Valentines day (or the whole week honestly) is filled with candy and chocolates.  I am not a huge chocolate fan.  Actually, neither is my twin.  I believe it is because we weren't allowed to eat chocolate as kids because my mom did not like the mess it made.  My mom is a smart lady.  As you can see from my blog and instagram, I do like to bake.  But, I also like to eat healthy.  So, sometimes I experiment a little with my cookies.

These cookies have a secret ingredient.  Here are some facts to help you figure out what it is.

• Its science name is B. vulgaris.  
• We eat the root, but generally not its stalks or leaves.  
• Australians hamburgers have a slice of this ingredient on their burgers.  
• It is rich in folate and manganese
• It can make your bowels change color (I put this because it is gastroenterology relevant haha)
• It used to be used as source for sugar

Did you guess it?  It is beets!  I used to eat beets all the time.  I love the way they caramelize when you bake them.  But, Mike's not the biggest fan and constantly replies, "they taste like dirt."  I even brought home beets from our school garden... washed them thoroughly, sauted them to perfection, and he still did not like them (I ate them all so it wasn't too sad haha).  

Anyways, as I looked at all the vegetables in the supermarket to see what was on sale... I saw beets and thought that would be perfect for valentine's day!  When I got home I looked up a recipe for baked goods with beets and this paleo cookie recipe by Perchance to Cook popped up.  I did not have all the ingredients, but I thought I could make it work.

As I made the dough, I was in love with the color.  However, most of the color was lost after baking them.  But, then I made the icing and it brightened them up.  As for the taste and texture.... they aren't too sweet, have a hearty taste and are soft.  I'd give them a 7/10, but all of my friends LOVED them or they liked the idea of a healthy cookie haha. 

My one friend, who I tutor, really wants the recipe, so I am posting it.  But, I may make some modifications to it in the future as I perfect the recipe more.  Hope that is okay.

Healthy Heart Beet Cookies for Valentine's Day 

Ingredients

** makes 12-15 cookies

Cookie

• 1 and 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup gluten free flour mix
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg (can use flax seed egg alternative)
• 1/2 of beet cooked (about 1 cup cubed) or 1/2 a 15 oz can
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 tbsp coconut oil

Icing

• 2 tsp beet puree
• 2-3 tsp almond milk
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Directions

• Mix beets (save 2 tsp for icing) in blender
• Add egg, vanilla, maple syrup, coconut oil to blender and blendarize until smooth
• Mix dry ingredients a bowl; flours, baking soda, salt
• Add puree to bowl and mix until all incorporated
• Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set
• Pre heat oven to 350 degrees F
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper
• Scoop out to make cookies.  I used tsp to make three small balls that I formed into a heart. 
• Bake for 11-13 minutes.
• Let cool, while you make icing.
• Mix beet puree and 2 tsp of almond milk.  Sift in powdered sugar and whisk until consistency you are looking for. 
• After cookies cool, drizzle on icing and enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Week!