Maca Maple Flax Cookies

So it has taken me a lot longer than most healthy foodies to get on board the maca train. When it comes to superfoods it can get VERY overwhelming. I mean, how many powders can one possibly pack into a smoothie? With a packed pantry and a practically empty wallet, I told myself…NO. MORE. Superfoods! BUT here I am today of course making maca cookies. When I first learned about maca, I knew one of its main benefits was that it would provide energy. For me, my morning coffee did the trick. But now with my crazy schedule, I find myself low on energy by the end of the day and need some sort of pick me up. I like to stick to one coffee a day, so I decided it was time to give Maca a try. Ok so here are the official details about Maca:

Maca is a plant that grows in central Peru in the high plateaus of the Andes mountains.According to Web MD, Maca is used for “tired blood” (anemia); chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); and enhancing energy, stamina, athletic performance, memory, and fertility. Women use maca for female hormone imbalance, menstrual problems, and symptoms of menopause. Maca is also used for weak bones (osteoporosis), depression, stomachcancer, leukemia, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, erectile dysfunction (ED), to arouse sexual desire, and to boost the immune system.

Sounds pretty fantastic, right? Maca has a caramel/butterscotch flavour that I felt would match perfectly with maple. These cookies are so incredibly soft with a really sweet maple flavour. These cookies are a delicious way to get your maca intake without having to throw another powder into your smoothie, plus I can easily get my energy boost on the go. You can throw these together in 5-10 minutes and have an energy boosting treat to last you for days (if you can control yourself!) Along with the benefits of maca, you’ll get lots of skin enriching vitamin E from the almonds, and omega 3 crunch from the flax seeds. As always this recipe is gluten, dairy and refined sugar free! Make something sweet for your loved one, Happy Valentines Day!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (#2 amber is best, the darker kind)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp gluten free baking powder
• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup flaxseeds (milled or whole.. both work great!)
• 2 heaped tbsp maca powder (can find it at any health food store)
• pinch of sea or pink himalayan salt

Makes about 18-20 cookies

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment and grease with coconut oil.

2. In a medium bowl, melt your coconut oil. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then whisk in maple syrup, vanilla and one egg.

3. To this bowl, add your baking powder, almond flour, flaxseeds, maca powder, and salt. Stir until well combined.

4. Scoop the dough using a cookie scoop or tablespoon and roll into balls. Place onto baking sheet. Using a fork or your fingers press the dough down slightly.

5. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden. Transfer immediately to wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks!