Friday couldn’t have come fast enough.  After a grueling work week and an extremely jam packed day, I was ready to unwind.  Today was an off day for me, but the past two days have been jam packed with workouts.  I officially finished week one of Kayla Itsine’s BBG and I’m really enjoying it.  I have gotten in to the habit to getting up early, crushing 28 minutes of Kayla, and then hitting the gym for a lighter workout later in the day.  Getting something out of the way early in the day always makes me feel accomplished, but waking up early isn’t always the easiest thing to do.  Squeezing in less than a half hour of working out is perfect.

After the long week, I was ready for today’s day off.  Taking a day of is 100% important and one of the best things you can do to further your fitness.  So instead of hitting the gym, my boyfriend and I did a quick 30 minute ab video and ordered in sushi.  I still needed a little bit of a pick-me-up, but we didn’t have much in the cupboard.  I was craving chocolate chip cookies but we had no butter, no milk, and no chocolate chips.  So, I got crafty.

Enter the coconut oil chocolate chunk cookie of my dreams.

• 2 cups white flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup of coconut oil
• 1/4 cup of applesauce
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 bar of semi-sweet chocolate chips chopped

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.

Beat coconut oil and applesauce in large mixer bowl until smooth. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla extract; beat until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 9 to 12 minutes or until cookies are golden and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft.

Cool on wire racks.

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These cookies were indisputably good.  The coconut adds the perfect, subtle sweetness.  The batter alone was amazingly perfect.  And coconut oil is so much better for you than butter.  Coconut oil is cholesterol free and is a completely natural, non-animal fat.  Plus, by cutting out some of the oil and subbing applesauce, you can cut some fat and calories as well.

I ate half the batter and am currently immobile.  Do not follow my example, but do make these cookies immediately.

-sj