Egg and Nut Free Cookie Cake

Want something a little more special than just plain cookies, but don't have a lot of time to bake? Let me introduce you to....the cookie cake! Fun, but simple, it is the perfect treat to serve the next time you have company or a birthday. It is also incredibly easy to throw together. Enjoy!

Egg and Nut Free Cookie Cake
1 cup white whole wheat flour (or whole wheat pastry flour)
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup grade b maple syrup
3 Tbsp. unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup allergy friendly chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325. Put butter in bowl of a stand mixer and beat until fluffy (you can also do this with a hand mixer). Add maple syrup, applesauce and vanilla and beat until combined. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl with a wire whisk and then add to the wet ingredients and mix. Fold in chocolate chips.

Spread batter into a greased pie pan and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.