Chlorophyll Cookies

Demonstrate the presence of chlorophyll in sunflower seeds by using a base chemical baking soda! Chlorophyll or chlorogenic acid, shows its presence when it comes into contact with a base, in this case sodium bicarbonate or baking soda. When the two react over time and cold, they produce chlorophyllin which is green! The chemical reaction makes a delicious fun science project! You can separate the dough before adding the base and experiment with different amounts of the baking soda to vary the reactions. Explore the lower pH's (Potential of Hydrogen) of acids against the higher pH of bases and how active hydrogen is in your creation.

1 Cup unsweetened Sunflower Butter

1 Egg

1/2 Cup Maple Syrup

1/4 tsp Salt

1/3 Cup plus 1 tsp Coconut Flour

1/2 tsp Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/2 tsp to 1 tsp Baking Soda

Mix the sunflower butter, egg, and maple syrup with a spoon until smooth.

Mix in the coconut flour, salt, and cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. Do not mix in the baking soda.

Divide your batter into four equal parts. Leave one part free of baking soda as a control. Mix 1/8th tsp baking soda into one section, 1/4 tsp baking soda into the other, and either a 1/16 or 1/2 tsp baking soda into the last as your own experiment. (Note that a half a tsp into a quarter of the batter won't taste as good, but will make a quicker reaction.)

Place your divided batter covered into the fridge for one hour. Scoop out into balls, place on baking sheet, flatten slightly, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes.

Allow cookies to completely cool before opening. The cookie on the left was opened fresh from the oven, on the right shows the cooled cookies. The chemical reaction occurs when cool. If you leave some batter with baking soda in it overnight in the fridge, you will find most of it turns green. How much green chlorophyllin shows up in your batter with the different amounts of your base material baking soda? What other ways can you use this basic recipe to show a chemical reaction?