Double Chocolate Avocado Cookies

Double Chocolate Avocado Cookies are super chocolatey, incredibly decadent AND full of nutrients. Now that's a win-win, and they're unbelievably delicious, to boot!

Are you skeptical? I get it, you might not be used to avocado desserts.

However, there are a few delicious reasons to think about adding avocados to sweet baked goods, including enhancing the texture and adding health benefits.

While I can't pitch them necessarily as a healthy cookie, I can definitely pitch chocolate avocado cookies as being nutrient-rich. So the way I look at it, you're getting some vitamins while also enjoying your dessert -- as you should! 🙂

Wondering if you can taste the avocado in the cookies? Well, while the avocado adds so much, its flavor is actually indistinguishable.

The Key Ingredient

Just about all of the ingredients in this recipe are the usual suspects for cookie recipes: flour, baking soda and powder, salt, sugar, eggs, etc. The avocado and olive oil are what's unique about them.

• the avocado - It's important that you use a ripe avocado. There should a good amount of give with gentle pressure. They will feel slightly soft but not mushy to the touch. For this recipe it's okay if they're on the softer side. Try to buy locally grown avocados! You know what a bummer it is when you cut into an avocado and it's either fibrous or has dark spots? That's often from the long travel it takes avocados to arrive at their final destination.
• olive oil - You can use regular olive oil or extra virgin olive oil if you like a stronger flavor. Either way, use a high quality olive oil. I like this Spanish olive oil. The use of olive oil in the cookies helps give them moist and chewy texture.

How to Make my Double Chocolate Avocado Cookies

These cookies are so easy to whip up and can be eaten fairly quickly after they come out of the oven.

- In one bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, and in another bowl, use an electric mixer or a wooden spoon to mix the butter with the avocado, olive oil, both sugars and vanilla until it's lighter in texture.

- Add the egg, mix to blend, and then add the flour mixture, mix until it's incorporated, and fold in the chocolate chips.

- Use two small spoons or a large (1½-inch) cookie scoop, to shape the batter into balls that are about ⅛ cup. Place them on the parchment-lined baking sheets as you go, about two inches apart. Gently press each one down a bit with the palm of your hand, to flatten them just slightly.

- Bake the cookies in a preheated 350°F oven for about 12 to 14 minutes -- they should be very soft when they are removed from the oven, and will firm up as they cool.

* IMPORTANT RECIPE TIP * Mash the avocado until it's as smooth as possible. Tiny lumps are okay, but the fewer the better. We're not going for pieces, we're going for creamy.

What does avocado do in baked goods?

• First of all, packed with vitamins and minerals, it adds nutrition. Who doesn't want that in a cookie? Especially when you only taste the chocolate!?
• Since avocado has fat (the good kind!), you can use it as a substitute for butter and oil -- or use a combination of both. Less butter and/or oil, which takes away a few calories.
• Avocado usually creates a softer and often chewier texture in baked goods.
• In this recipe, the avocado also enhances the chocolate flavor, making it even more intense.

Variations

• I love the sound of "double chocolate" but feel free to skip the chocolate chips, or swap them for white chocolate chips. I suggest semisweet in the recipe, but these cookies are also great with milk or dark chocolate.

Making Them Ahead and Storage

Room temperature. In a tightly sealed container, the cookies can be kept at room temperature for 2 days.
Freezer. Sealed tightly, you can store the chocolate cookies for about a month in the freezer. (Of course they'll last longer than that frozen, but will taste the best for up to a month.)

Other Avocado Dessert Recipes

• Avocado Zucchini Bread
• Avocado Cheesecake
• Avocado Brownies

I hope you try and love my avocado cookie recipe!

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