Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint CBD Cookies
What makes for a delightful healthy holiday cookie in the winter, and come spring turns into a great sub-out for the ultra-processed girl-scout-cookie thin mint? How about the healthiest chocolate peppermint cookies you can find! Sweetened with coconut sugar (about half the amount used in your standard cookie recipe), and gluten-free paleo flour (a flour made with almond flour, coconut, tapioca & arrowroot).
Though I have all of these flours as separate products, I’ve found that when putting together recipes for the blog, it’s easiest to give folks 1 item to put on their list vs 3 or 4. Paleo flour is a bit pricier than other flours, but if you’re into healthier baking, it can be a huge time saver, and great peace of mind knowing you’re using cleaner ingredients.
And for that “peppermint taste”, (no “natural flavorings here) we’re going all out “food-as-medicine” style to bring you my favorite brand of CBD oil, (this one infused with peppermint extract).
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links and products sold on this site including but not limited to nutritional supplements, ebooks, programs etc. which generate a tiny profit as the primary income of my blog at no additional cost to you. The greatest wealth is health so thanks for contributing!
Spotlight ingredient:
What is CBD and what are the benefits?
CBD is one of over 100 active chemical compounds (cannabinoids) in cannabis and hemp. Cannabinoids have the potential to block or activate endocannabinoid receptors found all over the body. (tip- whenever we have an extensive amount of receptors throughout the body, it’s usually for a reason). They can positively affect our immune system and cardiovascular system, but the benefits I’m most excited about are related to the nervous system. Research is showing favorable outcomes associated with anxiety, ADD/ADHD, and symptoms of autism. It has also been useful for anti-seizure support as well as both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.
CBD is also:
*Amazing for sleep
*Great for focus and mental clarity
*Reduction of cortisol levels
*A mood regulator as it regulates serotonin & dopamine and boosts GABA activity in the brain. GABA is our inhibitory neurotransmitter that’s wonderful for calming a racing brain.
Important to note: CBD is not psychoactive like THC. It’s also non-addictive. These are 2 questions most asked by friends and clients.
But all CBD products are not created equal. Most are not tested for purity and potency so unfortunately, you don’t always know what you’re getting.
What is a good dosage of CBD?
I’ve seen everything from 5-1500mg and everyone really has their own sweet spot. For adults, I’ve found at upwards of 30-50 mg is needed to notice a difference (most cbd formulas have nowhere near that amount), and for children 3-10mg though it makes sense to start on the lower end and work up from there to find the perfect amount. The truth is, the amount of CBD in one gluten-free peppermint CBD cookie is pretty negligible though it may depend on how many you eat as some folks just can’t stop eating these cookies!
The brand I use is Santa Cruz Medicinals for they check the box on all of the above criteria including a potent dosage. For these cookies, I used the 1500mg bottle of their peppermint variety. It works really well in a peppermint mocha too! This is not an affiliate post as I don’t receive products or money from them, but hopefully they’ll read this and send me a much needed bottle of their deep sleep caps since my husband keeps stealing mine. ;)
If you’re looking for a larger dose, their website offers higher potency tinctures of all different flavors.
Straight from Santa Cruz Medicinals:
Our 1500mg CBD infused Peppermint Tincture is a broad spectrum activated CBD Oil. We use three simple ingredients for this fast-acting tincture: Organic Hemp Oil, Peppermint Oil, and 1500mg of CBD.
Each full dropper is 50mg of CBD. Simply put a dropper underneath your tongue when you want your dose and wait 20-30 minutes.
This product is Paleo, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Sugar-Free, and Keto!
Hemp Oil contains an amazing fatty acid profile rich in Omega 3, 6, and the highly sought after Omega 9. Hemp Oil has a deep golden color and is rich in phytocannabinoids. We bolster the amount of CBD with 1500mg of our Organic Colorado Sourced CBD.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint CBD cookies
2 c paleo flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt plus dash
1/3 c cacao powder (use nutriyogi12 for 12% off)
1/2 c coconut sugar
1/4 c coconut oil
1 egg (lightly beaten)
1 Tbsp milk of choice (nut milk or coconut milk if going dairy-free)
20-30 drops Peppermint CBD oil
*Out of raw cacao powder? Check out my favorite one here!
In a small bowl, sift paleo flour, baking soda, salt , and cacao powder together and set aside. In a stand up mixer, beat together coconut sugar, coconut oil, egg, milk, and peppermint oil drops. Mix until combined. scraping sides of bowl in between. Form mixture into a ball. Wrap and place in fridge for an hour or so until firm.
Preheat oven to 350
Roll out dough btw 2 pc parchment paper or onto a pastry cloth with a small amount of paleo flour or powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Roll to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (thinner is crispier). I used the lid of a standard mason jar for the cuts outs, but you can go a bit bigger or smaller depending on what size you’re feeling.
Bake 8-10 min (less for thinner cookies). Set aside to cool as you make the chocolate coating.
To make the chocolate coating
12 oz dark chocolate chips (melted in double boiler or microwave)
1 Tbsp coconut oil
20-30 drops peppermint CBD oil tincture
Mix all ingredients until smooth. With tongues, lift cookies and dip into warm chocolate. Place onto unbleached parchment paper to cool.
Optional: To make more festive during holiday time
Top w naturally colored M&M’s or crushed candy cane
Makes about 50 3 inch round cookies depending on how thin u go
Love me some cookies, you say? Check out these food-as-medicine varieties
References:
Millar SA, Stone NL, Bellman ZD, Yates AS, England TJ, O'Sullivan SE. A systematic review of cannabidiol dosing in clinical populations. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2019;85(9):1888-1900. doi:10.1111/bcp.14038
https://scmedicinals.com/product/1500mg-peppermint-tincture/