Low carb cookies without the guilt! These Sugar Free Vanilla Macaroons are totally sugar free, sweetened entirely with stevia. So have two… or four! 😉
This summer I set a personal goal to exercise and get healthier since, as of lately, exercise has essentially been nonexistent in my life.
Not only would I love to trim down a bit, but I wish to eliminate some of the pressure on my knees, ankles, and feet. My arthritis is very active in all of those places.
A week ago we bought a stationary recumbent bike, and I’ve been getting on it, faithfully, every day. So far it’s been great, the first few days were difficult on my knees, but now the kinks seem to have worked themselves out. 😉
I’m optimistic that over the long run this new change will be a very good thing. I’m trying to gently push myself, while also trying not to completely overdo it. It’s hard to know where that line is sometimes.
In addition to working out on my bike, I’m trying to get back to eating grain-free and sugar-free. My body feels best when I eat that way – it can just be hard for me to maintain over the long-term. When I am sugar-free, I try to use stevia only, but I will use dates to sweeten items occasionally for special times.
Yesterday I was craving cookies something fierce, and I almost made my Sugar Free Chocolate Macaroons, but I desperately wanted a regular macaroon, not a chocolate one. These Sugar Free Vanilla Macaroons turned out amazing. I like them so much more than my chocolate variation, I mean… not to dissuade you from making those, but if you asked me my favorite – I’d have to tell you this recipe is it.
My vanilla macaroons taste much like the sugar-filled version, with sweet coconut and hints of vanilla. The addition of unsweetened apple sauce keeps the macaroons moist, while the NuNatural’s Liquid Vanilla Stevia ensures the cookies don’t have a bitter aftertaste.
Serve them with tea or coffee, and share one (or more!) with a friend. 😉
What are your health goals for this summer?
Megan
xoxo
- 8 egg whites from large eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon NuNaturals Liquid Vanilla Stevia (I use just under 1/2 teaspoon)
- 4 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees (F) and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Using an electric mixer, beat eggs whites, cream of tartar, and sea salt until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold in the unsweetened applesauce, vanilla extract, NuNaturals Liquid Vanilla Stevia, and the unsweetened shredded coconut.
- Pack the macaroon dough into a 1 1/2 tablespoon retractable scooper and then drop the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets. Gently reshape the dough to have a rounded top if necessary.
- Bake for 12-16 minutes, until the cookies hold together when touched, and the bottoms are golden brown. The tops of the cookies won’t appear golden. Place on a cooling rack and cool completely before enjoying. Store in an airtight container.
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Megan, congrats on getting back on the exercise routine – I have just gotten back into walking and am beginning to feel a little better – here’s to hoping you will to!
Hi Gretchen,
Thank you! Now too bad we couldn’t bike and walk next to each other! Hugs to you – I’m glad you’re feeling better!
😉 Megan
I’ll have to give stevia a try again. I’ve always tasted a bitter aftertaste with the brands I’ve tried and so I’ve shied away from using it. He does much better with the very low sugar in his diet to manage his pain. He does like macaroons, and since you mentioned no bitter aftertaste, this would be an ideal time to give NuNaturals a try.
Very good job exercising again. I’ve been off the exercising wagon, and really need to get back on again. If you can do it as busy as you are, I can do it too.
Thank you for the incentive!
Joanne
These are absolutely delightful looking cookies, Megan! Irresistible bites for sure! I have to confess that I still can taste the most minute amount of stevia, but I’m willing to try again or simple sub another sweetener in this recipe.
My summer fitness goals are to get in more walking using my brand new dreamy Hoka One One Clifton shoes. Of course, now that it’s really hot, that must be done early in the morning and I’m allergic to early mornings, so that alone is a challenge. 😉 Kudos to you for trying something new and feeling good about it, Megan! That “fine line” is definitely tough to navigate. Adrenal fatigue is one of my issues and overexercising can be an issue. Yoga and walking are what work best for me. Other aerobic activities quickly remind me that I have adrenal issues. 🙁
xoxo,
Shirley
Oooh, I’ll need to try these! I love macaroons and I’m happy to report that my kids hate them, so all the more for me 🙂 And I’m totally with you on the grain free/sugar free thing. I did the GAPS diet and stuck with it for three months about two years ago, I was so much better but it was so hard to maintain long term.
Yummy! I love using stevia in dessert recipes to lower the sugar content. These look delish!
Thanks, Heather!
These look so good. I have food allergies and have had to give up many foods. It is hard to find a dessert that only uses stevia or xylitol so I can’t wait to try these. I just started a food blog for people like me so I’m so glad I came across your blog. I homeschooled my girls also.. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It was such a blessing. My God bless you and help you as you struggle with your health issues.
Looks and sound delicious . I’m so glad they are not chocolate . That is off my diet as well as gluten dairy , corn & grains .
Thank you.
What can I substitute for the stevia? Maple syrup or brown rice syRup?
You might be able to replace it with a granulated sugar. You don’t want to add a liquid sweetener because that would make the dough too wet.