Holiday Cookies - High Protein, No Sugar

This week at work, I will face one of my biggest food challenges. They have an upcoming Goodie Day - featuring a full day of snacking at every desk, cubicle, lunch table, kitchenette... basicially everywhere I go in the office there will be food. And, from what I am told, it will be delicious food. In preparation for this day, I will likely pack my lunch and take a whole bunch of walks - outside of the office. I also plan to make these sugar free, gluten free cookies with my new cookie maker. For an early Christmas present, my husband bought me a cookie maker - basicially a waste of money if it were full price - but on clearance for $14.99 it was a fairly good deal. It allows me to cook seven small cookies at a time. I think it will be great for cooking some of the protein cookies I have tried in my oven (without success). I tried these this weekend and have been pleasantly surprised at how good they turned out. Don't worry if you don't have a cookie maker gadget or an easy bake oven, you can make these in your oven as well. I would use parchment or a good non-stick cookie sheet, just to be safe.

(FYI - I don't typicially eat gluten free. I tend to steer clear of carbs, not all - but I watch them).

Peanut Butter Gems

1 cup of Granulated Spenda (or Pure Via - I like this much better than Stevia in the Raw)
1 cup of Peanut Butter (I have used both Simply Jif, and the all natural refridgerated PB)
1 egg
1 - 2 tsp of Vanilla (really it's to your taste, I like more - so I use more)

Mix Splenda, Peanut Butter, and Egg until well blended. Add vanilla. Form into small balls and press with fork to create traditional PB cookie "look." I used a small/mini ice cream scoop. Bake for 10 -12 minutes in a 325 degree oven. Or, if you have an awesome cookie baker like me, cooke for about 6 to 7 minutes. Cool on rack.

If you make 24 cookies - which I made many more in my tiny cookie maker - they have about 4 grams of protein a piece. You could up this by adding some vanilla protein powder. Could being the optimal word.