We recently celebrated the birthday of one of my favorite people in the whole world—my daughter, Kassia!  She continually inspires me with her healthy eating lifestyle.  She endeavors to feed her loved ones (and the rest of us!) with the best quality foods she can find.  So I wanted to {attempt} to do likewise for her.  This healthy but-oh-so-yummy dessert is one that she had mentioned looked good* …and it was!

These cookie cups are raw…but could also be baked if you prefer.  They have no refined sugar in them, nor any dairy, and are also gluten-free.  They fit perfectly into a paleo-style eating plan, too!  And they are vegan!   They are very delicate, though…so keep the shells refrigerated ’til just ready to serve them.  Then pipe (or scoop) the delicious filling into them, top with a lucious fresh raspberry…and serve.

So, next time you find yourself needing to find the perfect dessert that meets the dietary needs & wants of your guests…try this!  We thoroughly enjoyed them.  Hope you do, too!

Lemon-Raspberry Cookie Cups

ingredients:

2 lemons, zested and juiced (you will need the zest from both along with 1 tablespoon of juice)

cookie cups:
1 cup almond flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
2 tablespoons 100% maple syrup
2 tablespoons coconut oil, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 of the lemon zest
pinch of salt

raspberry filling:
2 ounces freeze-dried raspberries
1 can (14 ounce) coconut cream, full fat variety
1 teaspoon sweetener of choice (I used maple syrup)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12 perfectly ripe raspberries

directions:

cookie cups:

• line a standard size (12)  muffin tin with plastic wrap (this is a little tricky and will shift around a bit; that is expected
• zest and juice the lemons; set aside
• place all of the ingredients for the cookie cups in your  food processor.
• pulse ’til well-blended and the mixture starts to come together
• use a 1-1/2 inch or 2 inch cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoon size) and  divide the mixture up into the lined muffin tin
• gently press mixture into each cup along the bottom and about halfway up the sides. I used my ‘barely damp’ fingers to do this
• chill the cookie crust cups in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours (or even overnight)

raspberry filling:

•  pulse the freeze dried raspberries in your food processor ’til finely ground (you will have a powder); set aside
• remove the can of coconut cream from refrigerator and drain off any liquid…but not the cream! then scoop out all the thick coconut cream into the bowl of your stand mixer.
• using the whisk attachment, whisk for about 30 seconds; then add in the sweetener and vanilla. continue to whisk until fluffy (about a minute)
• (with mixer OFF) slowly add in the raspberry powder using a sifter or small sieve.  you can discard the dried raspberry seeds that remain in the sieve…or add ’em
• start up mixer again, on medium speed, and whisk ’til well blended and fluffy
• gently remove cookie cups from muffin tin, using the plastic wrap to lift them.  place on serving dish and pipe or scoop the raspberry filling into each, dividing equally among the 12 cups.  top each with one perfect raspberry and a pinch of the leftover lemon zest
• (for best texture) serve immediately

♥    ♥    ♥    ♥    ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Please don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

* I used this recipe as my guideline and made adaptations.