I love anything pumpkin for the nutty flavor of fall, but did you know pumpkin is also a great source of fiber, an immunity booster, an impressive source of carotene and beta carotene (they help destroy cancer cells!) and a bevy of other health benefits? We’ve been testing a few versions of a vegan pumpkin cookie in the kitchen and this one was a clear winner: perfectly textured; lightly crisp on the outside, the most delicious chewy bite on the inside, and free of allergens so they’re safe for your next get-together!

healthy pumpkin cookie recipe (v, gf, rsf)

• 1/2 cup organic pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup vegan butter (I use earth balance soy-free)
• 1/4 cup brown coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups of GF flour (Whole Foods has a GF organic option, Bob’s 1:1 works well, too)
• 1/2 t. baking powder, 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 1 t. salt
• 1/2 t. nutmeg

1. Start by adding all of your wet ingredients to your stand mixture then whip them together until it’s light and fluffy.
2. Take the mixing bowl out of the stand and sift in all of your dry ingredients – stirring by hand from here on out.
3. Scoop a heaping tablespoon into your hand, roll into a ball, then flatten it down in a round shape. Place each cookie on a parchment-lined baking sheet. (They shouldn’t spread out too much, but you should be able to fit 12 large cookies on one sheet).
4. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. I made 3 different batches and took each out around the 14-15 minute mark to give it that light crispiness to the outer rim. You may want to pull them out a little early if you prefer a softer cookie.

I had originally intended to make these into Whoopie Pies (you could make your own frosting, or use a vegan coconut whip in the center), but then I found out Grey’s sweet teacher was hosting a book club for their class the next day at school. I sent in two batches lightly glazed with monk fruit sugar-free powdered “sugar” blended with a hint of maple syrup. Both ways were delicious!

PS – You likely already know this fun fact, but nutmeg is not derived from nuts of any kind. I had to double check before sending them to school for the kiddos with a nut allergy 😄.

Thanks for stopping in to have a treat with us today. Be well + joyful, kind friend!