Ok, maybe you’ve got cookies coming out of your ears at this time of year. But do you have healthy cookies coming out of your ears? Do you have sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan cookies coming out of your ears? If not, I think you should have this recipe. It’s versatile and sneaky (meaning, no one will know it’s healthy).
I am a firm proponent that no food has to be unhealthy, even treat foods. There is no reason that cookies, cake, chocolate, pasta dishes, and rich dips can’t be tweaked to avoid cream, refined flours, or refined sugars, without compromising taste.
Give these cookies as a gift to friends or coworkers without feeling like a saboteur, and serve them to your family without guilt. Take a break from your hectic holiday schedule, do five minutes of deep breathing, and have a cup of tea and some cookies. Ahhhh.
And if you’re trying to stay out of shopping malls, homemade gifts are awesome. Other ideas for homemade presies include: Artisan bread, spiced nuts, superfood chocolates, or homemade deodorant.
Amazing Sugar-free, Gluten-free Cookie Base (recipe variations below)
1 cup oat flour*
1 Tbsp arrowroot flour/ tapioca starch
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup coconut oil, liquefied
1/3 cup date paste**
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
*If you can’t find any in stores, you can grind your own from rolled oats in coffee grinder, food processor, or blender.
**To make date paste: In a high-speed blender or food processor, 1 part water to 2 parts cooking dates (eg. 1 cup water and 2 cups of dates). Blend until smooth. I do this in larger batches and then store the rest in the freezer where the paste will stay soft and ready for use.
Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 C.
-In a large bowl, mix flour, arrowroot flour, flax, and salt. Add dry add-ins if using.
-Add coconut oil and mix well until dry lumps disappear.
-Mix in date paste. If the date paste is cold, work quickly as the coconut oil hardens fast.
-Drop generous tablespoon sized dollops of dough onto a greased or parchment lined cookie sheet. Smush dough down a bit with the back of a spoon.
-Bake for 12-14 minutes and let cool before consuming. Enjoy with a warm mug of tea or some nut milk 
Variations:
-Chocolate Chip: Add 1/2 cup good quality dark chocolate chips.
-Ginger Spice: Add 2 tsp of ginger powder and 1 Tbsp cinnamon.
-Apple Cinnamon: Use apple butter instead of date paste and add 2 Tbsp cinnamon.
-Pistachio Cardamom: Add 1/2 cup shelled pistachios and 2 tsp cardamom powder
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season! Eat salads when you can, catch up on sleep, and enjoy this cozy season with family and friends
And watch this video for some holiday hilarity!
Take care,
Alex
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