Kelly and Teddy Bensimon share their favorite guilt-free dessert: ‘I've never felt better or had more energy’

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Looking for ways to check your dessert intake when the pandemic impulse, for many, has been to pile on the sweets? Kelly Killoren Bensimon, former cast member of The Real Housewives of New York City, has teamed up with her daughter Teddy, 20, to offer up their delicious and guilt-free take on vegan chocolate chip cookies.

This mother and daughter, like many of us, have been challenging themselves to cook healthier meals and explore fun new ways to do so together. And rather than cut out dessert as part of the plan, the two have focused on swapping out some classic ingredients in favor of the many vegan options available, ensuring that the treats will not only taste great, but will be great for you.

“I eat to feel good. Whatever makes me feel more energized and happy — that’s what I want to put in my body,” says Teddy. By substituting natural ingredients in many of their home cooked meals and desserts, they have noticed a huge difference in their energy levels.

Kelly Bensimon, right, and her daughter Teddy have created a healthy and delicious version of vegan chocolate chip cookies. (Photo: Yahoo Life)
Kelly Killoren Bensimon, right, and her daughter Teddy have created a healthy and delicious version of vegan chocolate chip cookies. (Photo: Yahoo Life)

Teddy warns against counting calories, and instead encourages people to focus on what fuels a body, with natural ingredients. This cookie, for example: While an average chocolate chip cookie can contain anywhere from 9 to 15 grams of sugar, the Bensimons’ recipe only has 4 grams per cookie.

“She's been cooking for me through all of quarantine,” Kelly says, “and I've never felt better or had more energy.”

Teddy has adopted some of her healthy habits from her mother, who is the author of I Can Make You Hot!, which gives readers tips to achieving a lean, strong and realistic body, with recipes for 60 of Kelly’s go-to dishes.

Bensimon volunteering at her local food bank. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Bensimon)
Kelly Killoren Bensimon volunteering at her local food bank. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Killoren Bensimon)

Both Kelly and Teddy enjoy sharing their love of culinary magic with others — not only Yahoo Life readers, but through their traditional visits to a local food bank, where they’ve volunteered for many years now.

“It's just been an incredible opportunity for us to take care of our community and also do something that makes us feel good about ourselves,” shares Kelly.

Watch Kelly and Teddy do what they do best in their kitchen in the video above — and try this healthy and delicious cookie recipe for yourself.

Ingredients:

1 cup of almond butter, creamy unsalted

1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon vegan butter

3 tablespoons (1 serving) of Just Egg

1/2 cup coconut sugar

1/2 cup monkfruit sweetener

1 pinch of salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Form mixture into 6 to 8 balls and place, well-spaced, on baking sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Video produced by Jenny Miller

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