Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies

My mom and sisters have been eating really clean lately and have noticed results. 

And by clean I mean:

No gluten

No dairy

No sugar

Only Healthy Oils

No alcohol

No corn

I think those are the main ones, but will let you know if I forgot some. Anyway, my mom has lost over 30 pounds and has the energy of a spring chicken.  I've been trying to eat clean myself, but have left the door open a crack for alcohol, some cheese cravings and chocolate.  I have needs.

That's sort of what this cookie recipe is about.  It isn't some magic healthy cookie. But it is something that I can make and enjoy without blowing to hell every clean eating guideline I am trying to follow.  {Agave instead of sugar, rice flour instead of white flour, coconut oil instead of butter} Delicious moderation.

Adapted from the coconut chocolate chip cookie recipe on The Well Traveled Wife.

1/2 cup coconut oil

2/3 cup + 2 T agave syrup

2 eggs (room temperature)

1 T vanilla extract

2 cups gluten free all purpose baking flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

12 oz. chocolate chips (I like dark chocolate)

2 cups shredded coconut (optional, but if you leave it out, you might want to add a little more flour to thicken the batter)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray cookie sheet/line with silpat/get out a baking stone...whatever it is you do.

2. In a mixing bowl, use a mixer to beat the coconut oil and agave syrup.  Add in the eggs and beat together well.  Add in the vanilla.

3. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder with a whisk. Mix the flour mixture into the coconut oil mixture a little bit at a time until all the flour is incorporated.  Add in the chocolate chips and coconut and mix well.

4. Drop by small rounded spoons onto the baking sheets.  Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until slightly browned on the edges.  Let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before removing them to cool on a rack.

*different rice flours give me different results and levels of crumbliness. I've had good luck with the Bob's Red Mill AP GF flour and the Trader Joe's AP GF flour.