For all you Trader Joe’s cookie butter crazed connoisseurs, I promise this isn’t a trick.
You CAN have your cookie butter AND eat it too (sans sugar, carbs & guilt)!
If you’re a fan of this spice cookie spread, do bite-sized, guilt-free cookie butter cups sound too good to be true? Thanks to Carolyn, the ultra-creative low carb cook of All Day I Dream About Food, healthy cookie butter is a reality. We all owe her big time, am I right?! An avid follower of her sugar-free creations, I stumbled upon her recipe for cookie butter cups a few weeks ago. I tweaked her recipe just a tad and made them that very night. All I can say is …Wowza.
You know what’s most flabbergasting of all? You won’t find a single cookie in this “cookie butter”. Can you guess what it is?
…it’s almond butter incognito.
Check out the (super healthy!) ingredients in the photo below. There’s not a cookie in sight, but it sure tastes like there is!
MCT Oil | Cinnamon | Celtic Sea Salt | Swerve Powdered Sweetener | Cloves | Ginger | Slivered Almonds
First things first. Let’s compare the ingredients I listed above to the ingredients in Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter…
TRADER JOES COOKIE BUTTER INGREDIENTS: 57% SPECULOOS (WHEAT FLOUR, CANDY SUGAR, MARGARINE [PALM OIL, CANOLA OIL, COCONUT OIL, RAPESEED OIL, WATER, SALT, EMULSIFIER {VEGETABLE MONO-AND DIGLYCERIDES FROM FATTY ACIDS}, CITRIC ACID, ALCTIC ACID, COLOR ADDED {BETA CAROTENE}, BUTTERFLAVOR (NON-DAIRY)], SUGAR, SOY FLOUR, SUGAR SYRUP, RAISING AGENT {SODIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE}, CINNAMON, NUTMEG), PALM OIL, CANOLA OIL, SUGAR, EMULSIFIER: RAPESEED LECITHIN.
That’s a lot of sugar…
Before you freak, I promise that all hope is not lost! Swerve Sweetener to the rescue!
If you haven’t tried Swerve yet, you’re missing out on lots of guilt-free yum! Swerve is my absolute favorite low carb, sugar-free alternative for all things cooking and baking. I use it DAILY. It measures cup for cup like sugar, so it’s a super simple swap that will make all of your dessert recipes a lot less sinful! It doesn’t have a funky after taste and it isn’t laden with creepy chemicals like splenda or saccharin! Those cute little pink + yellow packets look so harmless, right?!
Anywho, it’s about time that I handed over the recipe!
Without further ado…
Low Carb Cookie Butter Bites (adapted from All Day I Dream About Food)
Ingredients:
1 cup slivered, blanched almonds (be sure to toast beforehand)
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground cloves
At least 3 tbsp powdered Swerve Sweetener (I usually add more; I like it sweet!)
1/8 tsp salt
At least 2 tbsp MCT Oil (I often add more; add oil until you like the consistency)
*MCT Oil is extremely healthy + helps with weight management. It also has very little flavor, which is perfect for this recipe. Read more about the benefits of MCT Oil here.
Instructions:
Shop This Look:
“Good Vibes” Tee: Amazon
“Kale” Tee: Revolve Clothing
“Happy Camper” Tee: Nordstrom
Jean Skirt: Top Shop
Converse Tennies: Nordstrom

Yum! Gotta love when you can indulge in something that is also healthy!
http://www.amemoryofus.com
Yes, I love finding healthified dessert recipes!!
If anyone is curious to know the macros and comparison to cookie butter by Trader Joe’s I did the math.
Just assuming by the photos this recipe made 9 balls and a serving size is 2 balls.
I give Christina props on getting creative and less processed.
Christina’s recipe –
Calories 204
Carbs – 16 g
Fat – 18.8
Protein – 5 g
Sodium – 39 mg
Sugar – 0.8 g
* My only concern with all the health (scientific based) articles that stevia and “natural sugars” are more harmful than actual sugar cane. The almost no existing number of sugar may be deceiving.
Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter for 2tbsp
Calories – 180
Carbs – 16 g
Fat – 12 g
Protein – 2
Sodium – 50mg
Sugar 10 g
The difference in fat makes the calories slightly higher in the recipe. However, I think it is worth a try if you are concerned about processed foods. I am all about trying healthy dupes.
Thanks Christina!
Barbellesandcurls.com
Hi Stephanie!
Thanks for your nutritional breakdown! I follow a low carb, higher fat lifestyle and have had a lot of success! It’s what works best for me, so I don’t count calories (and I strive to eat lots of healthy fats like coconut oil, mct oil, grassfed butter…) After reading quite a few books on the health of low carb living, I believe that stevia and swerve (which is erythritol) are completely safe and natural, but that is just my opinion! I encourage you to give swerve a try – It’s been a game-changer for me 🙂
Thanks again for your thoughts!:)
Christina
Love this! You are so inspiring with your recipes and so informative! I never knew about basically any of this since I practically eat cookies for breakfast haha! Your outfit is the cutest and I need that mini demin number you linked 🙂 🙂
xoxo Amanda
The Miller Affect
STOP IT YOU ARE TOO CUTE! and yes, it is all caps worthy. Love it!! I have got to try them. I am a huge fan of truvia. Is it similar?
elle
Southern Elle Style
I’ve never had cookie butter.. .should I not start?! Haha I think I’ve only ever heard of it once but it sounds amazing. I’ll have to try this first!
BLESS YOU. I can’t wait to make this!!
xx Bri
http://www.neutral2neon.com/
This just made my day!! I LOVE any dessert recipe that is sinless and contains healthy ingredients. Thanks so much for sharing!!
xo Ivette
Oh yum…I have such a sweet tooth so anytime I can find a healthier version of something, I am thrilled. You look adorable as always and I love how health conscious you are! Thanks for sharing!
xo,
Brooke | KBStyled
These looks DELICIOUS! I love almond butter, I’ll have to try these out!
xx, Victoria
memphismadeblog.com
Definitely going to have to try this! They sound healthy and delicious- great post!
xo Rachel
To Hell In A Handbag
Healthier recipes for normal sweets are my fav! Also, loving the shirt! 🙂
These look DELIGHTFUL. I’ve had such an awful sweet tooth lately, I’m gonna pin this for later!!!
Oh my gosh YUM!
mmm, that looks so good! I could use those when I’m feeling sluggish at work, around like 3pm. Ah that would be perfect. Great post.
Have courage,
Elle | http://www.elleword.com