Vegan Double Chocolate Bear Paws

I don't know about you, but I used to love bear paws and their soft chocolatey texture! While I was experimenting with a new recipe trying to make double chocolate cookies, I was pleasantly surprised by how they came out! Not surprisingly, I have certainly made these more than once.

Better yet, while I love to have sweets, I also want something that errs on the healthier side, allowing me to indulge guilt-free - and that's what these bad guys are great for! Not to say that you can't go around having a cupcake or anything, but I do incorporate sweets into my diet daily, so it's nice to indulge in something that isn't predominately sugar and fat and offers the body something more of nutritional value. 

Also, they pair really well with a hot pumpkin spiced drink!

These bear paws are incredibly easy to make and are a one-bowl kind of recipe, so you know there won't be much clean up once you are done making these!

Makes 11 - 12 Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (33g) chocolate protein powder or PB2 powder

• 1/4 cup (42g) vital wheat gluten

• 1/4 cup (33g) spelt flour or flour of choice

• 1/4 cup (30g) cocoa powder

• 2 tsp baking powder

• Salt

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp (32g) peanut butter

• 3/4 cup of soy milk

• 1/8 cup Maple syrup

• Stevia to taste

• 2 (30g) servings chocolate chips (I use mini chocolate chips)
  

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit 

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the protein powder, vital wheat gluten, spelt flour, cocoa powder, and salt. 

4. Add the peanut butter and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix to incorporate.

5. Add the milk and maple syrup to the same bowl and mix to combine. You do not want to over-process the batter, as the vital wheat gluten may become more elastic. 

6. Fold in the chocolate chips. 

7. Scoop the batter onto your baking pans into twelve uniform droplets. 

8. Using a spoon, spread the mixture out, as the dough doesn't expand outward all too much. 

9. Place in the oven and back for 9 - 11 minutes. 

10. Once done, remove from the oven and allow the bear paws to cool on the baking sheet before placing on a cooling rack. 

Nutritional Breakdown per Serving 

This nutritional breakdown includes the use of chocolate protein powder over PB2 powder.

Calories: 74
Carbs: 6.7 grams 
Fat: 3 grams 
Protein: 5.7 grams