Cashew Butter Cookies

Cashew Butter Cookies are one of the best cookies you’ll ever taste. And you don’t even need flour to make them! They are naturally gluten-free, and you can make them with or without eggs, if you need a vegan recipe.

These cookies have been a fan favorite for years! Using cashew butter as the base gives these cookies a lightly sweet and nutty flavor, without using flour or additional oil. (The cashew butter already has oil in it, so no need for extra!)

I almost always use Trader Joe’s cashew butter for this recipe, because it has a consistently runny texture and delicious flavor. You can also make your own homemade cashew butter, if you prefer.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What’s in cashew butter cookies?

• Cashew butter
• Coconut sugar
• Eggs (or flax eggs!)
• Baking soda
• Vanilla
• Salt

They’re so simple, yet so delicious. When you use flax eggs for a vegan version, they turn out a little extra gooey on the inside… which I personally love!

If you love Almond Butter Blondies or Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies, I know you’ll love these, too.

How to Make Cashew Butter Cookies

1. Mix. In a large bowl, stir together the cashew butter, coconut sugar, eggs (or flax eggs), baking soda, vanilla, and salt. The batter will look a little more wet and sticky than a traditional cookie dough.

2. Scoop. Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to drop the dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet. You can make these with or without chocolate chips! For a cookie that looks like a classic peanut butter cookie, use a wet fork to flatten the top, into a criss-cross shape.

For a chocolate chip cookie, you can fold the chocolate chips into the batter, and then flatten the dough with wet hands to make sure the cookies will spread and bake evenly.

I like to add a few extra chocolate chips on top, to make sure they look nicely studded.

3. Bake. The cookies need to bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 350ºF, or until they are lightly golden around the edges.

If you prefer under-baked cookies (which I sometimes do) you can experiment with pulling these out of the oven at the 8-minute mark. Be sure to let them cool completely on the pan, as they are very fragile when they are warm.

Storage Tips

Cashew butter cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, but I don’t recommend storing them in an airtight container in that case, because they tend to soften when sealed at room temperature.

They remain sturdier when you leave them out on the counter, but they will start to dry out over time.

For the best shelf life, I recommend storing these in an airtight container in the freezer. We actually prefer eating these straight from frozen! They become quite crunchy that way. You can also store these in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Expert Tips & Common Questions

Can I use another nut butter? Of course! You can use almond butter or peanut butter for this recipe, or try sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.

Will honey work? I’ve tested this recipe with honey, and the cookies do hold together if you use a 1/2 cup of honey instead of the coconut sugar. However, my taste testers didn’t prefer the honey version, so make the substitution at your own risk!

Are these vegan? If you use 2 flax eggs (which is 2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds mixed with 6 tablespoons of water) then this recipe is vegan. The vegan version is actually my preferred method, because I love gooey, slightly under-baked textured cookies. If you like cookies like that, too, the vegan version is for you.

Are these cookies Paleo? These cookies are grain-free and naturally sweetened when you omit the chocolate chips. For a totally refined-sugar-free cookie, try adding crunchy cacao nibs instead of the chocolate chips, or use a naturally sweetened chocolate, like Hu brand.

Will any other sugar work? If you keep another granulated sugar on hand, like brown sugar or white sugar, that should work in this recipe texture-wise, too. Just keep in mind that these sweeteners are slightly sweeter than coconut sugar, so the final cookies will be, too!

I can’t wait to hear how you like these cashew butter cookies. Be sure to tag @detoxinista on Instagram or Facebook if you try them!

Cashew Butter Cookies

4.93 from 26 votes

Cashew Butter Cookies are made without flour or added oil, for a delicious peanut butter cookie alternative. You can make them with or without eggs, for a vegan & Paleo friendly recipe.

prep10 mins cook10 mins total20 mins

Servings:30 cookies

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Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 1 (16 oz.) jar creamy cashew butter
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar
• 2 large eggs (or flax eggs; see notes)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the cashew butter, coconut sugar, eggs (or flax eggs), vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Stir well, until a sticky dough is formed.
• Fold in the chocolate chips, if using them, and then drop the dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Use your fingers (getting them wet helps prevent sticking) to gently press the dough down into a cookie-shape, as these cookies only spread slightly. If you omit the chocolate chips, use a wet fork to flatten the dough, into a criss-cross pattern. (Similar to a peanut butter cookie.)
• Bake at 350ºF for 10-12 minutes, until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges. Cool on the pan completely, as these cookies are very fragile when they are warm. Serve at room temperature, or chilled. I like to store these cookies in an airtight container from the fridge or freezer for the best shelf life. They last in the fridge up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. They are crispy if you serve them frozen!

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is for 1 of 30 cookies, including the chocolate chips. This information is just an estimate, and not a guarantee.

I used Trader Joe's brand cashew butter for this recipe, which has oil included in the ingredients. The cookies might not spread as much using brands without the added oil, but they should still be delicious.

For a vegan cookie, omit the eggs and use 2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds mixed with 6 tablespoons of water, to make "flax eggs" as a swap.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 58mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

Author: Megan Gilmore

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cashew butter cookies

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If you try these Cashew Butter Cookies, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like them!

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Reader Feedback: Do you have a favorite type of cookie? I feel like I’ve covered a lot of cookie recipes over the years, but let me know if I’m missing any. I’m always willing to experiment with cookies for you!