It’s cold. In these parts, it’s also snowing. What to do in addition to getting the boots on and shovel out? Eat cookies, of course.
Cookies are one of those sweet treats that can provide the perfect combo of decadence, crunch and flavor. Being small, it’s also easy to engage in portion control. Just one, one more and again. If you want to feel even better about eating them, call them “biscuits” as they do in many parts of the world – it practically sounds like a healthy main course.
Making cookies is delightfully fast and pretty easy. In less than 30 minutes you can mix up a few basics, bake and enjoy. These combine delicious hazelnuts and use non-dairy milk and coconut oil, making them 100% vegan (natch). Sophisticated but still loved by kids, they awill likely become a staple for the snowy cookie-making days just around the corner.
Feel free to substitute other nuts for the hazelnuts as well. Sliced almonds are super easy and yummy. We’ve also heard of folks adding chocolate chips or dried cherries, which sounds delish but be sure to reduce the amount of nuts if you do so.
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/4 Cups All-purpose flour
1 Tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp. Salt
2/3 Cup Cocoa Powder
1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
1/2 Cup Organic Sugar
1/3 Cup Coconut Sugar (can substitute brown sugar)
2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
1 1/2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/3 Cup Almond or other non-dairy milk
1 Cup Hazelnuts, Well-Chopped
HOW TO MAKE THEM:
Step One: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step Two: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder and cocoa. Set aside.
Step Three: In a large bowl, combine sugars and coconut oil. Mix until well combined. You can do this by hand, with a mixer or even in a food processor.
Step Four: Add the vanilla and maple syrup to the wet mixture and mix until smooth.
Step Five: Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture in two batches, alternately with the milk, blending well after each addition. It will make a stiff dough.
Step Six: When dough is formed, stir in the chopped nuts.
Step Seven: Form dough into cookie dough balls about 1-1 ½ inches. Place on baking sheets, about 1-2 inches apart. Lightly press down on the cookies with the palm of your hand.
Step Eight: Bake the cookies for 12 minutes or until the cookies are set around the edges, but soft in the center. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 2-3 minutes.
Step Nine: Transfer to a wire cooling rack and cool completely.
Enjoy with your favorite beverage and good company. Makes about 2 dozen.