Almond Butter Espresso Cookies

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These almond butter espresso cookies are the perfect combination of crunchy and chewy. They’re super easy to whip up and require only six ingredients and one bowl. Plus, they’re flourless, vegan and gluten-free!

The holidays have me in a baking mood so this week I decided to remake an old cookie recipe I posted back 2011 so I could update the photos and republish them. I’m so glad I did because these almond butter espresso cookies are way too good to be collecting dust back in the archives.

A stack of almond butter espresso cookies on a plate.

Using Almond Butter to Replace Flour

These cookies are quite different from any other holiday cookie recipe I’ve made and I’m obsessed. There’s no flour (not even coconut flour or almond flour), no oil or butter and no dairy. If you’ve never tried using almond butter as a substitute for flour, you have to try these cookies! It’s crazy how well almond butter works as a flour substitute in baked goods like with these flourless pumpkin muffins and flourless zucchini muffins.

The outside edges are perfectly crunchy while the middle has a bit of chew. If you know me, you know I’m all about the crunch with baked goods so these cookies are perfection.

Plus, I’m loving the almond butter espresso flavor combo. It reminds me of breakfast! Not only are these cookies flourless, but they’re super easy to whip up, require only 6 ingredients and are vegan and gluten-free.

Ingredients measured out to make almond butter espresso cookies: organic sugar, vanilla, baking soda, almond butter, ground flax and ground espresso.

Like I mentioned above, you only need six simple ingredients and if you’re like me you probably have all of the ingredients to make these cookies sitting in your kitchen right now!

  • creamy almond butter – look for a brand with just one or two ingredients (almonds and salt). One of my favorite brands is Wild Friends (use the code EBF10 for 10% off your order).
  • sugar â€“ I used organic white sugar in this recipe, but coconut sugar will work as well.
  • instant espresso – finely ground coffee works as well.
  • baking soda – a leavening agent.
  • vanilla extract – a flavor enhancer.
  • flaxseed egg – mix 1 Tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 Tablespoons water and set aside for a few minutes to let it gel up. Check out my full post on how to make a flaxseed egg.
An overhead photo looking down at a plate of almond butter espresso cookies. Extra cookies are scattered around the plate alongside a bowl of coffee beans and a mug of hot cocoa.

Substitutions & Notes

  • almond butter – I’m assuming you can swap with any nut or seed butter, but I’ve only tested the recipe with almond butter. If you try a different nut butter, let me know in the comments.
  • flaxseed egg – if these cookies don’t need to be vegan you can use a regular egg in place of the flaxseed egg if you’d like.
  • sugar – as a sub to regular sugar you can use coconut sugar instead. I wouldn’t swap it with a liquid sweetener like maple syrup or honey.
A stack of almond butter espresso cookies on a plate. A mug of hot cocoa is next to the plate.

Start with making your flaxseed egg by mixing the ground flaxseed with water and set aside. The mixture will gelatinize to an egg-like consistency.

Side by side photos of a mixing bowl with ingredients for almond butter espresso cookies, before and after being mixed.

In a large bowl, mix together the almond butter and sugar until well combined. Add in the flaxseed egg, espresso, baking soda and vanilla extract and mix until combined. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to place 1 Tablespoon of cookie dough on a baking sheet – make sure you place them about 2 inches apart because they will spread!

Side by side photos of espresso cookies on a cookie sheet, before and after being baked,

Bake at 350ºF for 10-12 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on a pan for 3-5 minutes before gently transferring the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

An overhead photo of a plate containing almond butter espresso cookies.

How to Store Homemade Cookies

After letting your cookies cool completely, I recommend storing them in an airtight container. They’ll last a few days on the countertop, a week in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer. I love making these in advance, freezing them and then serving during the holidays!

Be sure to check out all of my holiday cookie recipes and cookie recipes here on EBF!

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3.85 from 69 votes

Almond Butter Espresso Cookies

These almond butter espresso cookies are the perfect combination of crunchy and chewy. They're super easy to whip up and require only six ingredients and one bowl. Plus, they're flourless, vegan and gluten-free!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 18

Ingredients  

  • ¾ cup creamy almond butter
  • ¾ cup organic sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon finely ground espresso
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 flax egg, or regular egg

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F degrees. Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silpat baking mat.
  • Make flaxseed egg by combining 1 Tablespoon ground flax with 3 Tablespoons of water in a small bowl. While the flaxseed egg gels up, use a large bowl to mix together the almond butter, sugar. Add flax egg, espresso, baking soda and vanilla and mix until combined.
    A mixing bowl with almond butter espresso cookie dough.
  • Use a cookie scoop or spoon to place about 1 Tablespoon of cookie dough on baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Cookies will spread!
    A sheet pan with almond butter espresso cookie dough evenly placed in three rows and four columns.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool on pan for 3-5 minutes on the cookie sheet before gently transferring cookies from sheet to a cooling rack with a spatula.
    A sheet pan with freshly baked almond butter espresso cookies.
  • They will harden up while cooling. Once completely cool you can transfer them to a storage container.

Video

Notes

  • Almond butter – I’m assuming you can swap with any nut or seed butter, but I’ve only tested the recipe with almond butter. If you try a different nut butter, let me know in the comments.
  • Flaxseed egg – if these cookies don’t need to be vegan you can use a regular egg in place of the flaxseed egg if you’d like.
  • Sugar – as a sub to regular sugar you can use coconut sugar instead. I wouldn’t swap it with a liquid sweetener like maple syrup or honey.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: almond butter espresso cookies
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

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Recipe Rating




89 Comments

  1. 4 stars
    I made these and they only made 8 cookies the size of yours! Not sure if English cups are the same size as your cups or if I did something wrong. They were still delicious!

  2. 5 stars
    I substituted the flax egg for a chia egg, used sun butter instead of almond butter, and pressed a pecan into each cookie. Very delicious and it definitely does work with other butters! 🙂

    1. Yay! That makes me so happy to hear. So glad they turned out with SunButter. Thanks for sharing and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

    1. Of course! Glad you’re enjoying these cookies, Dawn. Thank you for your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!

  3. I made these tonight with coconut sugar and they came out good just a bit bitter but still tasty with great texture.

    1. YUM! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe and they turned out great for you, Charlene. Thanks for sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!

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