Coconut Sugar Giveaway & Soft Banana Energy Cookies
If you know me and my style of cooking, you’re well aware that I try to use natural sweeteners in my baking projects instead of refined sugar. I could easily eat raw honey straight from the jar with a spoon. (And if I’m totally honest, I could probably do the same thing with blackstrap molasses.) Dried figs and dates are my go-to snack when I have a sweet tooth. Stevia makes its way into not only my baked goods but also my quinoa porridge, salad dressings, and the occasional less-than-perfect green smoothie.
Life without refined sugar isn’t so bad at all, really, once you get used to it. I understand, though, that not it’s not an overnight switch. Transitioning to a naturally sweetened lifestyle takes time. But thanks to Wholesome Sweeteners, that transition just got a whole lot easier.
The good people at Wholesome Sweeteners have just released a brand new product that happens to be one of my favorite natural sweeteners: coconut palm sugar! Here are just a few reasons to love this delicious ingredient:
- It’s flavor is terrific! I love the subtle caramel undertones of coconut sugar.
- It’s an easy replacement for granulated white sugar. I love how simple it is to swap in coconut sugar for white sugar in bread, muffin, and dessert recipes. Although it’s not quite as sweet as regular sugar, I find that I can usually use less than the original recipe calls for because coconut sugar packs a whole lot more flavor.
- It actually has nutrients! Okay, it’s not like coconut sugar is the next kale or anything. But still, it does contain small amounts of magnesium, iron, and zinc.
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In addition to coconut sugar, Wholesome Sweeteners is my go-to source for other natural organic sweeteners like honey, agave nectar, and blackstrap molasses. But I must say, I’m thrilled that they are now adding coconut sugar to their line of products. I have worked with several brands of coconut sugar in the past. For the most part, they all have roughly the same texture and consistency. But I have found the Wholesome Sweeteners product to be a bit finer, sandier, and less gritty than other brands.
These energy cookies are an easy-to-make treat guaranteed to stick with you! Soft and moist, the flourless cookies are packed with fiber and healthy fats from the nuts and seeds. The coconut sugar and mashed bananas lend subtle fruity sweetness, making them the perfect morning pick-me-up or afternoon snack.
More recipes you’ll love with coconut sugar:
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The Giveaway
UPDATE 5/14/12 – This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks to all who entered!
Wholesome Sweeteners has generously offered to give away an assortment of some of their incredible products to one lucky Daily Bites reader! Included in the package:
- NEW Organic Coconut Palm Sugar
- Organic Raw Blue Agave Nectar
- Organic Fair Trade Raw Honey
- Organic Fair Trade Amber Honey
- Organic Fair Trade Blackstrap Molasses
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It’s simple to enter. Here’s how:
- Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite flavor of cookie.
- Follow Wholesome Sweeteners on Facebook and/or Twitter and leave a comment saying that you did.
- Follow Daily Bites on Facebook if you do not already and leave a comment saying that you did.
- Follow Daily Bites on Twitter if you do not already and leave a comment saying that you did.
This giveaway is open to residents of the United States, age 18 or older. The giveaway will remain open until Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 6:00 pm CST. Winner will be contacted via email.
Good luck!
Soft Banana Energy Cookies
Makes 12 hearty cookies2 medium ripe bananas
1/3 cup Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Coconut Palm Sugar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup raw walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup quinoa flakes
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea saltPreheat the oven to 350º F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In the bottom of a large bowl, mash the bananas until mostly smooth with very few chunks. Add the coconut sugar, olive oil, and flaxseed. Stir to combine. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
Drop the dough onto the lined baking sheet, using about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Flatten the cookies with your fingertips to about 1/2-inch thick. Bake for 12-14 minutes until golden brown and just firm to the touch, rotating the pan once halfway through. Cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container.
Disclosure: Wholesome Sweeteners is sponsoring this giveaway, but opinions expressed about the product(s) are strictly my own. I love to promote products that I personally use, endorse, and recommend! So don’t worry. I will always publish my honest opinion and cannot be “bought.”
Filed under: Baked Goods, Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts, Egg-free, Family-Friendly, Giveaways, Ingredient Tips, Links, Recipes, Snacks
Wholesome…not Whole Sweeteners. :)
I love coconut sugar. I use it all the time. My favorite cookie is a peanut butter cookie.
I follow DAily Bites on FB already.
I LOVE coconut sugar, this is a great giveaway! My favourite flavor of cookie is lemon
I would have to say chocolate peanutbutter cookies are my favorite. I would love to win, thanks for the opportunity. Love all your recipes!
MY FAVORITE COOKIES ARE OATMEAL AND RAISIN. I AM VERY FOND OF APRICOT AND PEACHES ALSO.
I love chocolate chip cookies!
My favorite cookies are chocolate chip. but i haven’t tried the banana energy cookies yet. looking forward to trying them! I love coconut sugar. thanks for the opportunity.
My favorite flavor of cookies is chocolate chip!
I follow Wholesome Sweeteners on Twitter as @Nicoles_SDC
I LOVE coconut sugar….Favorite flavor of cookie? Anything dark chocolate of course!!
Recently found ur site! Thank you for all the fabulous tips! My favorite cookie is oatmeal raisin! Now I can’t wait to try the coconut sugar!!
My favorite cookie flavor is samoas! Thanks for the great giveaway!
I’m partial to peanut butter cookies
My favorite is so hard to say but I will never turn down an oatmeal cookie!
good old chocolate chip is my favorite!
I liked you on facebook :)
I liked wholesome sweeteners on facebook ;)
My favorite flavor of cookie has to be oatmeal raisin with walnuts, followed by snickerdoodle and peanut butter!
I love anything with cinnamon and other sweet spices, so gingersnaps and snickerdoodles are at the top of my list!
Love any cookie with any type of coconut in it!
Like Wholesome Sweetners on Facebook
I just wanna say that I love your recipes they succeed every time I try something new nothing goes wrong. Just ate the banana bars it is so tastyyyyy. Luckiely my husband doesn’t like Banaba so I am gonna eat them bymyself. Thank you very much!
I LOVE a good chocolate chip cookie with…lately I’ve been into oatmeal chocolate chip, or anything with oatmeal! And coconut sugar is the BEST! I use it constantly, with basically everything I sweeten!
My favorite cookie has always been oatmeal raisin.
My favorite cookie is a chewy Molasses Spice Cookie.
I liked you on Facebook.
I follow you on Twitter.
I followed Wholesome Sweetners on Facebook.
I love oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!
I follow you on twitter! (@dssorensen)
I liked you on facebook!
I liked wholesome Sweeteners on Facebook!
I love fruit and nut cookies … like trail mix in cookie form! Easier to carry with you. :) And I bet coconut sugar would work wonderfully there!
Follow you on Twitter!
Follow WS on Twitter!
My favorite cookie is oatmeal raisin!
Made these last night. They are so yummy and will be going into regular rotation in our house!
My favorite kind of cookie is an arrowroot powder chocolate or carob chip cookie! Yum! Yum!
I am following Wholesome Sweeteners on FB!
I am following you on FB!
LOVE Coconut sugar! I use it all the time in baking and no one can tell the difference. My favorite flavor of cookie is peanut butter- yum!
Great giveaway! I use coconut sugar, too, and more since finding your blog! :)
My favorite kind of cookie is coconut orange!
I am now following Daily Bites and Wholesome Sweeteners! Wooo
My favorite cookies are oatmeal chocolate chip!
I love oatmeal raisin cookies. What a great giveaway! I love coconut sugar!!!!!
I tend to love them all – love that crispy, crunchy texture. If I had to pick a flavor it would have to include a hint of chocolate. ;-)