Gluten Free Wafer Cookies -- simple, vegan, and tasty

There's something to be said for simple, crisp, delicate wafer cookies. These remind me a little of graham wafers, and super simple to whip up, and taste really good. I prefer to make my own concoction of gluten free flours -- I get control over the taste and texture that way, and this one is very pleasing to me. However, you are welcome to sub in equal quantity of your favourite gluten free flour blend if you prefer. These keep well in an airtight container on the counter, and are perfect with a cup of tea. Or smores ... bet they'd make great smores ...

equipment needed:

rolling pin

2 silicone mats or baking parchment

2 baking sheets

measuring cups

measuring spoons

mixing bowl

mixing spoon

fork

oven

butter knife

ingredients:

a)
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup sweet brown rice flour
1/2 cup millet flour
1 cup sorghum flour
1/2 tsp xanthan gum

b)
3/8 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp tonka bean powder
1 tsp baking soda
(optional but very delicious 1 tsp ground ginger)

c)
1 cup coconut sugar

d)
1/2 cup coconut oil

e)
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
(optional 1/2 tsp vanilla extract)


direction:

1. preheat the oven to 345
2. in a bowl, combine the ingredients from a) b) and c), and mix until completely distributed
3. using a fork, combine the coconut oil with the flour mixture
4. add in the water etc from e), and mix until combined into a nice dough
5. knead it a few times
6. divide the dough into 2 parts
7. roll each part out into a large rectangle, and then score into squares using a butter knife
8. place each mat or parchment onto a baking sheet and bake for 20 to 30 minutes in a 345 degree oven, switching the places of the 2 trays halfway through the baking time
9. cool and then remove from the tray
10. store in an airtight tin on the counter

combine
knead
divide into 2 parts
roll onto 2 silicone baking mats
score flattened dough into squares
bake at 345 for 20-30 minutes

Easy Peasy Super Wholesome Trail Mix Cookie Bars***

September 1? WTF? How on earth did that happen?

With images of empty lunch boxes blurring my vision, poking at my psyche, and taunting me today, I started to think about nutritionally dense snacks.  I had a bunch of overripe bananas nagging me, and these cookie bars coalesced in my imagination.  They are simple -- really just mashed banana with ground chia, a little tapioca, shredded coconut, and large oat flakes. A few seasonings, a few mix-ins for flair, and presto here we are. But I have to tell you -- they are really delicious. A huge hit both with my kiddo and my dh.

equipment:

coffee grinder for chia seeds, or buy ready ground
hand blender for mashing bananas, or use a fork
2 x 8 inch silicone pans
1 baking sheet to put the pans on
measuring spoons
measuring cups
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
oven


a) base:
2 cups mashed banana (I used my hand blender but a fork will do, too.)

b) seasoning and leavening:
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ceylon cinnamon (or 1/2 tsp other cinnamon)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar

(or substitute 2 tsp baking powder  for the baking soda and cream of tartar!!)

c) batter:
1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup tapioca starch
1 cup shredded coconut
2 cups large flake rolled oats

d) add ins:
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup raisins
3/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)


directions:

preheat your oven to 345!

1. combine your mashed banana with the ingredients from group b)
2. mix in the ingredients from group c) in that order, stirring after each addition.
3. mix in your mix-ins. Don't be afraid to mix it up!!
4. divide into 2 silicone square pans
5. press it down really well
6. bake at 345 for 40 minutes
7. Allow to cool slightly then cut into bars -- gingerly. I used the blunt edge of a spatula, careful not to destroy either the bars or my silicone pans.
8. when fully cool, store in an airtight containers in the fridge

Chocolate Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Soft Cookies

What happens when you throw a bunch of stuff together in a bowl? Well, sometimes something like this: soft, vegan, oatmeal chocolate cookies with chocolate chips. You had me at cookie.

equipment needed:
baking sheets
silicone baking mats or parchment
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
measuring cups
measuring spoons
seed grinder


ingredients:

a)
2 cups scotch oatmeal
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1 cup coconut sugar
1/2 cup date sugar

b)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground vanilla bean
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cream of tartar

c)
2 cups water

d)
1 cup chocolate chips


directions:

preheat the oven to 345

1.  combine ingredients from a) and b) in a large mixing bowl
2. mix well
3. add c) and mix very well
4. finally stir in part d) and mix well
5. scoop by small spoonful onto a lined baking sheet
6. bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 345
7. makes approx 4 dozen small cookies

Soft Oatmeal and Raisin Cookies -- vegan, nut free, and easy

These are very soft, very yummy, and quick to make.

I made some chocolate chocolate chip oatmeal the other day. The cacao powder in the mix made the batter thicker, so I found myself adding a little pea protein powder to this one to adjust the texture. Delicious, and dare I say nutritious.

I've been into the super minimalist ingredients lately -- like the mashed banana, oatmeal, and chocolate chip. These are a little more involved. But delicious.

equipment needed:

baking parchment or silicone baking mats

baking sheets

mixing bowl

measuring cups

measuring spoons

mixing spoon

seed grinder

ingredients:

a)

2 cups scotch oatmeal

1/2 cup tapioca starch

1 cup shredded coconut (organic unsweetened)

1 cup coconut sugar

1/4 cup ground chia seeds

1/4 cup pea protein powder

b)

1 tsp cream of tartar + 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tbsp ceylon cinnamon

c)

2 cups water

1 tsp vanilla extract

d)

1 cup organic raisins

directions:

pre-heat the oven to 345 degrees

1. in a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients from a) and b)

2. when this mixture is completely integrated, add the ingredients from c) and mix well

3. add the raisins

4. stir well, and let sit for a few minutes

5. scoop spoonfuls of batter onto a lined baking sheet, don't flatten

6. bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 345

(I baked it for 20 minutes when there were 2 trays in the oven, swapping their positions halfway through the bake. I baked a single tray for 15 minutes.)

I got 4 dozen small cookies from this recipe!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip -- 5 ingredients not including the salt/baking soda

Kim, Brooke, and Claire came over to play briefly yesterday. Brooke confessed that Claire had been wishing to make treats for him because in her 7 year old heart she felt it was terribly unfair that he couldn't have treats just because he's diabetic. They'd tried to make some chocolate chip oatmeal cookies from a recipe they'd found online (using krisda chocolate chips which are sweetened only with erythritol and stevia and taste great) but the results were sadly inedible. So I thought I'd put together a batch of something that centred on almond flour. Kim and Brooke don't cook a lot so I wanted to make these with few ingredients. I'm not counting the salt and baking soda, or the water (is that cheating, Kim????????) These whipped up in a flash, baked in 20 minutes, and were out of the oven before the trio had to leave, so everyone got to enjoy some.

So, here they are. Five-ingredient chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. No high glycemic sweeteners. Lots of wonderful, blood-sugar stabilizing almond flour.  And all ingredients easy to come by. If you need nut free, just grind up some raw sunflower seeds into flour and use those instead. That is what I will be doing to transform these into a lunch-box treat come September.

They are super-duper-delicious, which to me is of the point of cookies, diabetic-friendly or no.

1 cup oatmeal (I used large flake)
2 cups almond flour
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1 cup coconut sugar

1/2 tsp ground vanilla bean (optional. OPTIONAL. DON'T HATE ME. You can use a tsp of extract if you want)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup water

1 cup krisda chocolate chips



1. combine ingredients excluding water and chocolate chips
2. stir well, then add water and mix into dough
3. add in chips, and stir well
4. scoop small balls of cookie dough onto a lined baking sheet (I use silicone liners, but parchment works)
5. flatten with a wet fork into rounds

preheat oven and bake at 345 for 20 minutes

They stuck to the silicone mat a little bit, so it was best to let them cool before removing them with a stainless steel spatula.

makes approx 3 doz depending on size

A Power Snack -- the trail-mix cookies

A third version of our now favourite trail-mix cookies. Delicious. Good for you. Goooooooood for you. Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, full of mother-nature's bounty. And definitely kid approved.

ingredients:

1 cup water
1 cup coconut sugar
1/4 cup date sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp ground vanilla bean

1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup raw cacao
1/4 cup carob powder
1 cup ground up hemp hearts
1 cup sunflower seed flour
1/4 cup pea protein powder

1/4 cup coconut flour
1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup whole sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup organic raisins, picked through
1/2 cup krisda chocolate chips


directions:

1. preheat the oven to 345
2. combine the ingredients in the order listed
3. form balls of the dough, and place on a lined baking sheet (lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat)
4. flatten the balls with a fork dipped in water
5. bake at 345 for 20 minutes
6. will make 2 trays -- 3 to 4 dozen depending on size

Shape Cookies -- an excellent school snack

I'm always long on intention and short on time. That's why rolled shape cookies have been in abeyance these months and months and months. Sabbatical? Study abroad? World tour? Relegated to the dust-heap? None of the above. Anyway, my small human requested shape cookies, and this is the recipe I cam up with. Yes, pea protein powder again. Do not be affeared. It's so gentle on your stomach, and has a lovely flavour. Sort of mellow and nutty. Anyway, these are super yummy. I sent my son to rock climbing with a container of these which he shared amongst all the kids in his group. They were devoured with grunts of delights. Befitting, I imagine, the shape. We like these little piggy cutters. But we also did flowers. Make sure you roll 'em between 2 layers of parchment. Or on a silicone mat covered by a layer of parchment. Trust me. You won't be happy if you do it sans ...

ingredients:

1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1/2 cup date sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup water


1 tbsp ground vanilla bean
1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 cup ground chia seed


1/2 cup carob powder
1/2 cup raw cacao

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup sunflower seed flour

1/4 cup pea protein powder

1/4 cup coconut flour


directions:

1. mix the coconut oil with warm water, then add coconut sugar and vanilla
2. mix in the spices and then the ground chia, using a whisk if necessary
3. add the cinnamon, vanilla, and sea salt
4. mix in the carob and cacao
5. mix in the baking soda and sunflower seed flour
6. mix in the coconut flour
7. let sit for 10 minutes
8.
9. preheat the oven to 345
10. roll out the dough in 2 or 3 parts between two sheets of parchment
11. cut using your favourite cookie cutters
12. place on a lined baking sheet, and bake for 17 or 18 minutes at 345

makes about 1 1/2 or 2 trays of cookies, quantity depends on size of cookie cutters

Trail Mix Cookies -- nut-free, school-safe, vegan, and awesome

These little goodies make a decent energy snack for kids. The coconut sugar is low glycemic, and any blood sugar elevation is mitigated by the chia, sunflower seed, and coconut flour. They taste great, have an enjoyable texture, and are safe for school. Vegan, gluten free, grain free, nut free, sugar free. Yum!

1 cup water
1 cup coconut sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp ground vanilla bean

1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup raw cacao
1/4 cup carob powder
2 cups sunflower seed flour

1/2 cup coconut flour
1 tsp baking soda

1 cup whole sunflower seeds
1 cup organic raisins, picked through


directions:

1. preheat the oven to 345
2. combine the ingredients in the order listed
3. form balls of the dough, and place on a lined baking sheet (lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat)
4. flatten the balls with a fork dipped in water
5. bake at 345 for 20 minutes
6. will make 2 trays -- approx 40 depending on size

Nut-Free Wafer Cookies

Aaaaand just like that, the summer holidays are over. Well, I think they were a success. But now onto other things: namely, nut free lunch box fare. Ergo, these wafers. Simple and wholesome. No sugar bomb, but a nice little nibble when your little one needs something.

ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil -- melted
3/4 cup coconut sugar
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp vanilla extract  (or 2 tbsp water)

1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp ground vanilla bean

1/4 cup white chia seeds finely ground
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups ground sunflower seeds
1/4 cup coconut flour



directions:

1. combine the ingredients in the order listed
2.
3. roll the dough  in two parts (between 2 sheets of baking parchment) and cut into perfect squares after trimming the  edges
4. bake at 345 in a preheated oven for 12 minutes then dehydrate for 2-3 hours at 170
5. cool and break into pieces
6. store in an airtight container

Simple Wafer Cookies -- vegan, gluten free, sugar free

The thing about these is they are way less time consuming than cookie cutter cookies. A simple, not too sweet, plain-jane little wafer cookie. Gluten free, grain free, vegan, sugar free, and simple. Snack or dessert, perfect for grubby little kindie kids as a after-school stabilizer with a cup of cold red tea (I chill herbal tea as a colourful drink for the kids. A couple  drops of stevia can be a good addition.)

ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil -- melted if it's not already soupy due to summer conditions
1/2 cup coconut sugar + (approximately) 1/4 cup water to make 1/2 cup total
2 tbsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp ground vanilla bean
1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 cup white chia seeds finely ground
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour


coconut sugar to sprinkle on top -- optional


directions:

1. combine the ingredients in the order listed
2. chill the dough
3. roll the dough  in two parts  and cut into perfect squares after trimming the  edges. Or cut into imperfect squares. They will still taste good.
4. bake at 345 in a preheated oven for 12 minutes then dehydrate for 3 hours at 170 to 200
5. cool and break into pieces
6. store in an airtight container

Almond Flour wafer cookies -- vegan, gluten free, grain free, sugar free ... ta da!!

ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil -- melted if it's not already soupy due to summer conditions
1/2 cup coconut sugar + (approximately) 1/4 cup water to make 1/2 cup total
2 tbsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp ground vanilla bean
1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 cup white chia seeds finely ground
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour


coconut sugar to sprinkle on top (or erythritol, xylitol, date sugar ...)


directions:

1. combine the ingredients in the order listed
2. chill the dough
3. roll the dough  in two parts  and cut into perfect squares after trimming the  edges
4. bake at 345 in a preheated oven for 12 minutes then dehydrate for 2-3 hours at 170
5. cool and break into pieces
6. store in an airtight container