Previously I’ve confessed that I don’t drink coffee, so you’re probably already wondering why I’d share a recipe for Gluten-Free Almond Coffee Chocolate Chip Cookies on Day Two of this year’s Suite of Sweets for Sweethearts (SSS) event.
Well, if you’ve paid close attention to what I’ve said about coffee, you’d know that I don’t like drinking coffee, but I love the smell of coffee and enjoy the flavor of brewed coffee in ice cream and other recipes.
However, today’s recipe doesn’t get its coffee flavor from brewed coffee. These cookies include actual coffee in the batter. Unbrewed coffee. And the resulting cookies are simply amazing.
And while I enjoy a coffee factor in certain, special cases, Mr. GFE won’t even touch coffee ice cream. When folks offer him coffee in any form, he almost always sticks his tongue out and says things like “Blech!”, “Never touch the stuff!”, and “Coffee stunts your growth.”
He swears that the latter were words of wisdom/caution that came straight from his parents—both of whom were dedicated coffee drinkers, I might add.
Hmmm, even I can’t figure that one out! But all that said, Mr. GFE loves these cookies and so do I. My parents (one a coffee drinker, one not) are also enthusiastic fans of these gluten-free Almond Coffee Chocolate Chip Cookies, which also happen to be grain free because they’re made using almond flour.
Although I don’t make these cookies often (there are so many great recipes to try and a girl only has so much time or eating capacity!), when I do make them, I am surprisingly newly smitten! The flavor of these cookies only improves as time passes, and they stay moist and lightly chewy.
The funny thing about these cookies is that although I use decaffeinated coffee, I still feel like I get a little “buzz” from these cookies. Yes, I did eat two before I left the house this morning … and brought two more with me for an afternoon snack—thank you very much.
Long ago, I had mentioned adapting Winnie Abramson’s Coffee Almond Cookies recipe and thought that now, during my SSS event, would be a great time to share my adaptation … I hope you’ll agree!
Gluten-Free Almond Coffee Chocolate Chip Cookies (Grain-Free) Recipe
Gluten-Free Almond Coffee Chocolate Chip Cookies (Grain Free)
This delightful gluten-free, grain-free cookie recipe adds "raw" coffee to chocolate chip cookies. You'll see how brilliant that idea is as soon as you eat one!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups finely ground blanched almond flour
- 1 tbsp freeze-dried regular or decaf coffee (I emptied the coffee from one Folgers decaf coffee single bag; no judgment please)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (see notes for refined sugar-free option)
- ½ cup dark brown sugar (see notes for refined sugar-free option)
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 4 large eggs (or 3 jumbo eggs)
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chocolate chips (gluten free and dairy free, like Enjoy Life dark chocolate morsels], [minis], or [mega chunks)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In large bowl, add eggs and slightly beat using a wooden spoon.
- Stir in vanilla extract, coffee, and cinnamon.
- Add almond flour, sugar, and salt. Mix with a wooden spoon.
- Add chocolate chips; stir until incorporated.
- Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Use a spoon to spread the batter out slightly into circles as cookies will not spread much during baking.
- Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Leave on baking sheets for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove to cool.
Notes
Coconut sugar or palm sugar may be substituted for both types of sugar—that’s one cup total in place of both the granulated and brown sugar. That amount could be adjusted downwards a bit, too, for folks who are used to less sweetener in their baked goods.
This recipe was adapted from Healthy Green Kitchen.
Other Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes I Love
~ Gluten-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
~ Gluten-Free Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies
~ Gluten-Free Cashew Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
~ Grain-Free Bourbon Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies
~ Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies with Hemp Seeds
~ Paleo “Real Deal” Chocolate Chip Cookies
~ Paleo Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies (with easy vegan option)
Not enough options? Check out The Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes … 35 of Them!
Originally published February 7, 2012; updated September 7, 2024.
Kim (Cook IT Allergy Free) says
Well, since you know about my coffee addiction, you know I WOULD love these! And that is funny what you said in your notes about the eggs. Last night I made my version of Elana’s chocolate chip cookies that you had when you were here. As I finished assembly everything, I was looking at my batter thinking that the consistency was way off and that they were really crumbly. I was stumped since I have made the recipe a gazillion times and know it by heart. I was thinking about how to fix it when I just happen to pick up the paper towel on the counter to wipe my hands and….there were the eggs that I had forgot to add. Added them and viola! Perfect consistency. LOL So, Your comment about forgetting the eggs made me laugh.
Loving your SSS series!!
xo
k
Shirley says
Hey Kim–I think you would enjoy these for sure, but who knows? You coffee addicts might want even more coffee in the recipe. I think this amount is good for all though. Thinking of your boys. 😉 I’m good at leaving out things. I’ve been known to pull a baking pan right out of the oven after just putting it in, pour all of the batter back in the bowl, add the missing ingredient, and then put all back in the oven. And then other times, I don’t realize until it’s too late. Sometimes the recipe still works and I create new dishes that way, like with my un-molten chocolate cake. I am very grateful for those times. The birds are grateful for the other times. Hehe.
xoxo,
Shirley
Stacy says
I love almond flour chocolate chip cookies. And coffee…. YUM!
Shirley says
Hi Stacy–Thanks! I think you all would enjoy these. 🙂 Go for decaf with those three active boys though. 😉
Shirley
Debi says
I chuckled while reading Mr. GFE’s reaction to being offered a cup of coffee. Chaz has the same reaction. It’s one of the few things he “hates” and just recently told me the smell makes him nauseous. Hasn’t stopped me from my decaf! I just try to make it when he’s not home or when he’s sleeping. 😀
Shirley says
Hey Debi–Isn’t that funny? Mr. GFE has never expressed any reaction to the smell of coffee per se, but I think he and Chaz would certainly agree on their dislike of coffee. Wonder if Chaz would like these cookies if he didn’t know they had coffee in them? I know that Mr. GFE would have never even tried one if I’d told him that it had coffee in it, but once he tried them and loved them he doesn’t care. 😉 You are a considerate coffee brewer/drinker wife, but nauseous husbands are certainly no good!
Shirley
Debi says
I think Chaz’s smoking deadens his taste buds (he won’t admit it though), but he has such a disdain for coffee than he would taste it. If I tried to make him eat it without telling him he’d get mad. Don’t want to make him mad! 😀
Shirley says
Gosh, no! I don’t want him mad at me either! That would definitely cancel out all the good karma from the pumpkin pie. LOL, but true! I knew Mr. GFE woudln’t get mad at me. I just expected him to turn up his nose after one bite. 😉
Shirley
Melissa @ glutenfreeforgood says
Almond, coffee, and chocolate sounds like a stellar combination! In my coffee-loving-opinion, those ingredients were made for each other. I do love my morning cup of Allegro organic breakfast blend with coconut milk and I like the idea of adding it to cookie dough. =) I might have to try these little gems of yours. Almond flour is such a good basic, grain-free flour for baking. I love the stuff. Like Kim, I laughed about the egg thing. I do that on occasion as well. I suppose we all do!
You’ve certainly tempted me with this recipe!
Melissa
Shirley says
Melissa–I think you’d really approve of these cookies for an occasional indulgence. Maybe as dessert for one of your fabulous pizza parties? 😉
I think you are right that we all forget to add ingredients … some of “us” are just not willing to admit it. 😉
xo,
Shirley
AndreAnna says
Grain-free cookies with coffee in them?!?! It’s like you crawled in my head and made *just* what I am craving!
These really look awesome, can’t wait to try them!
Shirley says
LOL, AndreAnna! Love it when I can come up with something that is just what a friend/reader is looking for! 🙂
Shirley
Cara says
I recently made some almond flour cookies that my husband couldn’t get enough of. Seriously almond flour is amazing!
Shirley says
Cara–I agree, and my hubby loves all cookies made with almond flour, too! I know I have some readers who can’t eat almonds or all nuts, so I try to share recipes made from other flours, too, but it’s fabulous to bake with. 🙂
Shirley
Maggie says
I am a sucker for cookies! But don’t you just love using almond flour in cookies? Oh my, it’s the perfect pairing.
Shirley says
Hey Maggie–Just got done voting for you again! People who don’t like cookies baffle me, and oh, yeah, on almond flour and cookies being perfec together. One almost can’t mess up with almond flour in cookies! 😉
xo,
Shirley
Ricki says
Okay, now I know I REALLY must get some almond flour!! These look lovely. I haven’t had coffee in ages, but I bet that coffee sub will do nicely here. 🙂
Shirley says
Ricki–Are you just out of almond flour? You’ve used almond flour, right? Silly question I’m sure. 😉 I KNOW you love almond butter. BTW, I think one could use the coffee concept in any good vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe. 🙂
Shirley
InTolerant Chef says
I much prefer to east coffee than drink it! Lovely cookies indeed.
Shirley says
InTolerant Chef–Yep, you’re like me then! Thanks, dear! 🙂
Shirley
Katrina (GF Gidget) says
I don’t know how you go without coffee! My one cup in the morning is sacred! 😉
Seriously though, I have often thought about subbing coffee as the liquid in recipes, but never for a cookie. These sound awesome!
Shirley says
Hey Katrina–Haha … you coffee lovers always say things like that! 😉 Well the coffee is not in liquid form or subbed for a liquid here, it’s just added as another ingredient. Hope you give them a try. I think you’ll like them! 🙂
Shirley
Cassidy @ Cooking Gluten (& Dairy) Free says
These look delicious! I’ve never thought of adding coffee to my chocolate chip cookies… definitely going to try it!
Shirley says
Hi Cassidy–It’s great to see you here at gfe again! 🙂 I hope you’ll enjoy these cookies. Let us know if/when you get to make them! BTW, I’m tempted to make them again since Son popped in and ate or took home the rest of them. 😉 Can’t blame him though! LOL
Shirley
Zoe says
Haha, what Mr.GFE said about coffee stunting one’s growth made me laugh. I can’t say that it’s fact, but I remember hearing that from a friend of mine: it’s what her parents told her. I’m not a regular coffee drinker, although when I do have the ocassional cup (and not even a full one) I generally stick to decaf. I’ve always loved the smell of coffee, though, and it was a pleasure to walk past the coffee bean dispenser/grinder down the grocery store aisle when I was a kid.
The coffee in the chocolate chip cookies sounds like a wonderful addition. It’s a wonder why it isn’t thought of more often! After all, just about everybody knows how good coffee and chocolate taste together, like in a mocha. 🙂 Just out of curiosity, if it was decaf, I suppose that could make it child-friendly?
Shirley says
Zoe–Glad you got a chuckle from Mr. GFE’s comments! And I totally agree about the smell of coffee! I always think, IF only it tasted that good. 😉 IMO, yes, with decaf, these cookies are kid friendly. 🙂
Shirley
Mary says
I’m intrigued. I’ve only baked a little with almond flour but love almonds (& chocolate!). I can’t say I’m a coffee lover though. I’m pretty much like Mr. GFE when it comes to coffee. But, since he likes them, I’ll have to give them a try.
Shirley says
Hi Mary–I’ll be very interested to see what you think. I think the coffee just adds another flavor dimension, which is very enjoyable. 🙂 Let us knwo what you think if you do try them!
Shirley
Beth @ Tasty Yummies says
Wow these look incredible and so simple. I am in love with almond flour, my go to flour of choice these days. I love the idea of putting the coffee in your cookie instead of the usual cookie in your coffee 🙂
Shirley says
Hey Beth–Almond flour is my “go to” flour choice, too. 🙂 And I like the way you phrase the logic of this cookie! 😉
Shirley
cheryl says
phooey that they have eggs, they look delicious! (I’m just jealous)
Shirley says
Cheryl–Haven’t tried these egg-free, but I suspect there’s a version that will work. An easy solution might be to use a vegan almond flour chocolate chip cookie recipe like Elana’s and just add the coffee! 🙂
Shirley
Carol says
Well, I am a coffee addict so I am sure I will love these. I am trying to imagine what my life would be like without drinking coffee – I just can’t seem to conjure up the image 🙂
Shirley says
Haha, Carol! Imagining a “life without” for me would probably be a “life without chocolate”. 😉 We all have our *things*! Bet you would love these cookies! 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Michelle @ The Willing Cook says
Mmmm…thanks for sharing this at Allergy-Free Wednesdays too! My husband, being a coffee addict, would love this cookie.
Michelle
Shirley says
Michelle–Again, my pleasure! Hope your hubby gives them his approval if you try them out! 🙂
Shirley
Jeanette says
These cookies look awesome. I love the idea of coffee in chocolate chip cookies. I’ve been trying almond flour as a gluten-free grain-free substitute and really like the moist consistency it provides.
Shirley says
Hey Jeanette–Thanks! That moist consistency is a key advantage of almond flour for sure. 🙂 These cookies almost have a “stickiness” but it’s wonderful!
Shirley
Brandae says
Just made these – another winner, wonderful Shirley!!!! My almost six year old called them “perfect” which is a high honor, believe me. :)Thanks for the recipe!
Brandae
Shirley says
Hi Brandae–There’s nothing better than the rave review of a little one. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing, dear!
xo,
Shirley
Jen says
If you are allergic to dairy, you can replace each egg with a 1/4 c of applesauce. Is there soy in these cookies?
Jen (GF Mom )
Shirley says
Hi Jen–Welcome! 🙂 Thanks for commenting. I know that applesauce can often be a substitution for eggs, but haven’t tried it in this recipe yet. There’s no soy in these cookies as long as you use soy-free chocolate chips or skip the chocolate chips.
Shirley
Karen says
Hi,
I am recently GF, and I’ve been craving cookies—thank you for all your work in creating and experimenting to get these recipes for all of us!
Can’t wait to start baking,
Karen
Raia says
Mmm! I love adding coffee into baked goods. 😉 These sound pretty tasty, Shirley! Thank you for sharing them with us at Savoring Saturdays!
Shirley Braden says
I’m not a coffee drinker, Raia, but do love it in baked goods. These cookies are pretty addictive! 😉
Shirley
Charlotte Moore says
YUM!!! We are a coffee loving husband/wife. We drink a pot and sometimes more a day. We use lite unless we want some late afternoon then we use decaf. We both would love these for sure. We are not GF but I cook some for 4 family members who are GF, some DF, and some chocolate free.
Shirley Braden says
Charlotte–Thanks! I love it when a single recipe can potentially makes so many people so happy. 🙂 Enjoy!
Shirley