I have a bad night of sleep about once every week or so. There's no rhyme or reason to when these restless nights take place, but they're not my favorite. Trying to fall asleep is one of my biggest pet peeves. When I go to bed, I usually fall right asleep, as long as I've given myself time to wind down. The problems usually start in the wee hours of the morning. Either a weird dream wakes me up or I get overheated and then it's game over. From that point on I have the hardest time falling back asleep. I toss and turn and am continually thinking of who knows what until I give up and get out of bed.
While ideally I would love to get 8 hours of sleep every night and miss out on these restless nights, I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that I actually love those early morning wake up calls. Even after a bad night of sleep, I feel creative and energetic and ready to take on the day. For example, just the other week I had one of those nights and after laying in bed from 4 AM until 5 AM I decided to get up. Before my language class at 8:15 I baked a batch of cookies, read for a while, did a Kayla Itsines workout, showered, ate breakfast, and was out the door on time. Gosh, I just love being so productive before I even "start" my day!
These thin and chewy Vegan Double Chocolate Tahini Cookies were the cookies I baked that early morning and, after one more batch with a couple tweaks, they turned out perfectly. Tahini and chocolate quickly became one of my favorite flavor combinations after I made my Chocolate Tahini Brownie Bites. There's just something about the salty, rich flavor of tahini that pairs so beautifully with sweet, dark chocolate. In addition to being oil-free, these cookies are also made with whole grain spelt flour and coconut sugar and pure maple syrup for sweetness. They are the perfect tea-dipping cookies and even my sweet-loving, non-vegan husband loves them!
If you give these Vegan Double Chocolate Tahini Cookies a try I'd love to know your thoughts! Leave a comment below or take a picture and tag #theconscientiouseater on Instagram so that I can see your beautiful creation!
📖 Recipe
Vegan Double Chocolate Tahini Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 flax egg 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water
- ½ cup tahini
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ cup spelt flour
- 3 tablespoon cocoa powder*
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅓ of a 100 gram chocolate bar scant ¼ cup finely chopped chunks
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a small bowl, mix together the ground flaxseed and water and set aside for a few minutes to thicken up. Whisk the flax egg again once thickened.
- While the flax egg rests, mix together the tahini and coconut sugar in a mixing bowl until combined. Add in the flax egg, vanilla, and maple syrup and mix again.
- Add in the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder and continue to stir until a dough forms. The dough should be moist enough to form balls without cracking, but not overly sticky.
- Take 2 tablespoon amounts of dough and gently roll it into a ball and place them on your baking tray. Once you've used all of the dough, use your hands to press the balls down into ½ inch thick cookie shaped rounds, using your fingers to press back together any cracks that may have formed on the edges.
- Lastly, press your chocolate into the top of the cookies and bake for 8-10 minutes.
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
I cannot imagine getting that much done before 8 am 😮 I mean I know sleep is important and all and I'm sorry it's not coming easy some nights, but still wow! And these cookies--double wow! Big chocolate chunks are always better than chips, these look really tasty <3
Faith says
Haha! Knowing that sleep is so important is the only thing that keeps me from completely loving my early wake up calls. Thankfully they're not too often! Glad you like this recipe. And I totally agree: Chocolate chunks > Chocolate chips:)
Cora says
I'm not a huge tahini fan on its own (maybe in a really lemony tahini dressing I can do), so I loveeee when I get to sneak it into some form of baking.
My body definitely sees morning as "do stuff" time, no matter the amount of sleep I get. I may crash a few simple hours later, but I love using the early mornings to be productive. The rest of the day can just then be a free for all!
Faith says
You should give these a try Cora! They're not overly "tahini-y" and the chocolate makes them oh-so-sweet! And I agree, if I'm super productive in the morning, I get to rest later in the afternoon!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Chocolate and tahini! The best flavors!
Haha, I wake up at 4am 7 days a week! When people tell me they can't sleep,, I always tell them to just get up and do something! No use wasting perfect morning hours!
Faith says
Wow Rebecca! You're quite the early bird! But I really do love those quite morning hours:) Glad you like these two flavors together too!
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl says
I had one of those nights last night - hopefully I'll be as productive today as you were!
Faith says
Ah sorry to hear that!! I hope it was still a good day!
oscar says
I'm an early bird too. I don't get so much done as you do, but I like the quiet of the morning. I like taking my time - have my little breakfast, coffee... I hate rushing out the door. I get to work between 7-7:30 a.m. Not so many on the train. Everything is quiet... until 8:30....
Faith says
Your mornings sounds like perfection. Reminds me of the holidays when I don't feel like I have to DO so much. And yes, why does the quiet have to end at 8:30!! Hope you're having a good week Oscar!