Cranberry Walnut Cookies

By Shirl

With their festive red cranberries, these drop cookies make a nice Christmas cookie, but they are a great healthy cookie any time - Sugar free, low carb, and gluten free.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups almond meal
• 1 cup whey protein powder
• 1/2 cup (one stick) butter
• 4 oz cream cheese (can use low fat)
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cup sugar substitute (if triple recipe, try 3 teaspoons liquid splenda)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup chopped walnuts
• dried orange or regular cranberries from Trader Joes (if triple recipe use 1 1/2 bags)

Preparation

Step 1

Notes on Special Ingredients: In this recipe, a combination of almond meal and whey protein powder takes the place of
flour. If you use a flavored protein powder, you will probably want to cut down the amount of sweetener in the recipe.
I used Designer brand Vanilla Praline, which does have artificial flavorings in it. If I didn't use the flavored powder, I'd be more inclined to add a little intense black molasses, which has about 4-5 grams of carbohydrate per teaspoon.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
1) Cream butter and cream cheese together until fluffy, Add sweetener, cinnamon, and salt, and beat again. Add eggs, and beat until
combined.

2) Add almond meal, protein powder, and baking soda and combine well.

3) Mix in cranberries and walnuts.

4) Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet, or one covered with a silicone mat. The size is up to you, but avoid very large cookies.

5. Bake about 8 minutes, until top is just browning. Cool completely before eating - really, they are so much better after they are cool. I don't know why. Store in a sealed container.