Blueberry & Oat Cookies

This is a tasty cookie recipe that contains only 4 ingredients & are really quick to prepare. They are perfect for when you are craving something sweet. The addition of peanut butter, which naturally contains protein and fats, will help to keep you feeling fuller for longer and avoid any blood sugar dips.

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 90g oats
• 125g peanut butter
• 100g coconut sugar
• 125g blueberries

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180ºC/350ºF/Gas 4. Place a sheet of baking paper onto a baking tray.
2. Mix together the oats, peanut butter and coconut sugar until well combined. Add the blueberries and stir through.
3. Shape into small rounds with your hands and lay them out on the baking paper. Leaving enough space for them to spread a little in the oven.
4. Bake for about 12 minutes, then leave to cool on a wire rack to cool and firm up.

Jam Thumbprint Cookies

The thought of jam cookies bring about warm childhood memories. This version is vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and grain-free but still managed to pass the kiddy taste test. These little nuggets of joy are the perfect treat to have with a cup of tea or coffee when you are craving something sweet. I used a homemade raspberry jam made with unrefined sugar to spoon into the centre of the cookie, you could also make your own chia jam if you are looking for a lower sugar option. Health foods shop also stock low sugar jams that are sweetened with fruit and natural fruit juices.

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 175g ground almonds
• ¼ tsp bread soda
• Pinch of sea-salt
• 2 tbsp raspberry jam

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 170°C/325°F/Gas 3.
2. Lay a sheet of baking paper on a baking tray.
3. Whisk together the coconut oil, maple syrup & vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl mix the ground almonds, bread soda and sea-salt together.
5. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients & stir to combine.
6. Scoop tablespoons of the mix into your hands and shape into balls.
7. Place these down on the prepared baking sheet and using your finger make a small indent in the middle.
8. Spoon a tiny bit of jam into each indent, then transfer to the oven to bake for about 10 minutes or until golden. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sometimes you just need the crunch of a good cookie. On this occasion I was craving something chocolaty but a little healthier than the shop bought sugar-laden variety. The result was this recipe which is free from refined sugar, gluten and dairy but still tastes really good and provides that all important crunch.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 200g ground almonds
• 1/2 tsp bread soda
• 1/4 tsp sea-salt
• 100g dark chocolate chips

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4.
2. Lay a sheet of baking paper on a baking tray. 
3. Mix together the coconut oil and maple syrup.
4. Add the egg and vanilla extract, whisk together gently.
5. Place the ground almonds, bread soda, sea-salt and chocolate chips into a separate mixing bowl.
6. Pour over the wet ingredients and mix together well.
7. Scoop small balls of the cookie dough using an ice-cream scoop.
8. Place these on the prepared baking tray and flatten with the back of a spoon.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Leave to cool on a wire rack before enjoying.

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