Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies (keto + low carb)
Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies are the perfect gluten free, grain free treat! Each low carb cookie contains about 1 net carb each making it a great keto-friendly snack!
Today is no ordinary day. Today is actually a day that I thought was impossible. Something that was totally improbable. Today, I am self employed. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to write about this but I have all these feelings so I kind of thought, what the heck.
I am a very driven person. I am organized and detail oriented. I have qualities that would make me a great employee. And I think I have been a pretty good employee at all of my jobs. But, when I finished college I took the first job that I found and stayed there for three years. Three years in a job that had nothing to do with my degree, a job that I didn’t care about and a job that I didn’t care for. But it was a job.
I felt guilty for saying that my job was unfulfilling or that I wanted to do more because I knew lots of people that didn’t get so lucky when they finished college. They were unable to find good jobs and here I was with a perfectly fine one, that I just happened to hate. I felt ungrateful.
So, I started Maebells. A place to share my thoughts, recipes and my creative side. In my very wildest dreams this blog was going to make some money and maybe pay for the dining room table that I had been lusting over but a real job? No way.
Until one day I decided, why not? Why not me? Why can’t I? Why does it sound so impossible? So unlikely that I can turn something that I love into a job. Other people do it. You read about it everyday. A seed was planted. The little idea, the small thought that you know what, maybe I can?
Maybe. Just maybe, I CAN do this.
I wrote down nine little words on a pink post it note and stuck it in my wallet.
I carried around those words everywhere I went. To the grocery, to work, on trips, everywhere. It was the little bit of reminder. In moments of doubt it was my safety net that reminded me things are possible if you stay focused.
“Decide what you want to be and be it”
That post it note, a few tears, a lot of determination and more prayers than I can count leave me where I am today. Sitting at my kitchen table, coffee in hand and dogs at my feet. Today I am humbled and grateful. Today I am in your debt, because you…yes you, sitting right there have helped me prove nothing is impossible.
So let’s have some cookies and celebrate! After all, is an achievement really an achievement if you don’t celebrate it with chocolate?! For more fun fall recipes, check out this list of 20+ Easy Fall Desserts!
How to Make Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies
As you might have guessed, these sugar-free pumpkin cookies have an almond flour and pumpkin base. Cookies need a fat — which is usually butter — to make them have a nice soft, chewy texture. However, these cookies are unique because pumpkin works in place of butter.
They feature a pumpkin dough with pumpkin spice and sprinkled with chopped pecans and low-carb dark chocolate chips. I think they have the perfect texture. Here’s how the almond flour pumpkin cookies are made:
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- While the oven preheats, measure out the pumpkin puree and squeeze out any excess moisture.
- Once the pumpkin is dried out somewhat, simply combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Chill the dough for 10 minutes.
- Scoop the dough onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake until done.
You can enjoy these cookies warm with the melted dark chocolate, but they are very good served chilled too.
Can I Omit the Chocolate Chips?
Of course! I made this recipe as keto pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, but you’re welcome to omit them if you’d like to make classic pumpkin cookies.
Can I Substitute the Almond Flour?
Almond flour works best in this recipe, so I can’t recommend a substitute. Coconut flour isn’t a 1:1 substitute, so don’t try using it in these cookies.
More Low Carb Cookie Recipes:
If you are struggling with your sweet tooth on keto, no worries! I’ve got you covered! Here are some of my favorite low-carb cookie recipes that will fit right into your keto diet.
- Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
- No-Bake Keto Cookies
- Keto Chocolate Cookies
- Keto Almond Butter Cookies
- Keto Sheet Pan Cookies
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies (keto + low carb)
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 cup brown sugar monkfruit or Swerve
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree, moisture removed, see tips below
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
- 1/2 cup Lilly's dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup pecan pieces
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- While the oven preheats measure out the pumpkin and place it in a paper towel lined bowl, cover with extra paper towels, pressing down lightly. Allow the pumpkin to sit for 10-15 minutes. The paper towels will absorb the extra moisture. Discard the paper towels when moisture has been absorbed.
- Once the pumpkin has been dried out, combine all ingredients in a medium size mixing bowl and mix until well combined.
- Chill the dough 10 minutes.
- Grease a large baking sheet and use a small one inch scoop to scoop the cookie dough.
- Lightly press each dough ball down so they spread out evenly as they bake.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes. Allow cookies to cool before removing from the baking sheet. **Cookies will be slightly soft when you remove from the oven and firm upon cooling, do not overcook.**
Notes
Congrats, Annie! You deserve it! Never let anyone make you feel anything but happy. I feel guilty staying at home running my blog at times, but my husband reminds me the family comes home to a nice meal (or two) and sometimes a clean house, haha.
That is true! 🙂 There is a definite trade off there! Thanks Kacey!
Pumpkin, pecan, and chocolate are just some of the best fall flavors around! Love these 🙂
Congrats – you have a great blog with awesome recipes. So glad that you have realized your dreams!!
Keep those GF recipes coming girlfriend! I expect great things from you!!!
Thank you so much Jennifer!! I truly love what I am doing! I am glad you enjoy it too! 🙂
I am so excited for you, Annie! Your hard work and determination are an inspiration. I’ll celebrate with you with one of these cookies! I love all that you’ve packed into these, and they look so soft and chewy!
Thank you so much Kristine! I’m really excited for this next step!
Annie, words cannot express how proud I am of you! All of your hard work, determination and countless hours of photographing, developing, and creating have finally paid off! I admire you so much! Congrats on being self employed! You have a very bright future ahead of you! You inspire me! Hugs to you friend!
Mariah you have been SUCH an incredible cheerleader! I am so thankful that we are friends! I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for both of us! 🙂
Big congrats to you!!! And these cookies…mmmmmmm!
Thanks Stephanie!
This is one gorgeous cookie.
Congrats! Its so exciting to make a new job change to self employment.
Thank you Nicole! I am so excited!
Annie, the sky’s the limit for you! You’re motivation is inspiring, and I’m so glad we’ve crossed paths! Best of luck to you in your new venture being self-employed, but I’m sure you don’t need luck — you have the sheer will to make it happen. 🙂 And these cookies are one fabulous way to celebrate!
Thank you Marcie! I am so glad we are blogging buddies!! This would be such a lonely job without you guys! 🙂
Congrats! These cookies definitely look like a great way to celebrate!
Thank you Michelle! Chocolate is always the best way to celebrate!
You go girl!!! Way to have the strength and determination to make your passion your paycheck 🙂 I hope to do the same someday, too.
Mmmmm those sound absolutely delicious. Great job!
I SO enjoyed reading your post, Annie! Congratulations to you, girl! You are an inspiration and I’m so excited to see all of the amazing things that are to come from Maebells! 🙂
Awe! Such a heartfelt post. I can relate in so many ways and so proud of you! Blogging is a job I can say I NEVER imagined. I can say its the hardest job I have ever held but also the most rewarding. I never thought I would work so hard in my life. But aren’t we lucky it is for ourselves now?
Congrats girl on your achievement!
YAY! Congrats, Annie! I found that when I began blogging full-time a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. LOVE this post, and LOVE these cookies. Such a perfect way to celebrate. 😉
Congrats Annie! You are one of the most driven people I know — you totally earned it!
Yay, congrats Annie! So happy and excited for you! Love this post and these cookies! They’re the perfect way to celebrate! 🙂