During the festive season supermarket shelves are stacked with tins of biscuits and jumbo-sized chocolate boxes. These biscuits and chocolates are also stacked — with calories, fat, and sugar. While they provide us with a quick and easy option to bring to a friend’s house or when we visit our relatives, we all know that boxes of sweet goods can quickly build up and encourage binging.
As it is hard enough to stay on track at Christmas with extra evenings out and various celebrations, why not help yourself by removing the temptation at home. Why not set yourself the goal this Christmas of preparing someone a box of healthier homemade treats, plus some for your own family. These treats not only look like you put extra effort in but is a really thoughtful gift for anyone to receive.
A batch of these spiced ginger cookies is ideal for anyone who loves biscuits.
Spiced ginger cookies
Time: 30 min.
Makes: 10
These cookies are gluten free, so the would make a lovely gift for someone who is coeliac. The recipe makes 10 cookies but feel free to scale it up if you would like to make extra.
50g coconut oil at room temperature (liquid )
35g cup coconut sugar
2 tbsp molasses
1 egg, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
120g almond flour
30g coconut flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 175°C. In a large bowl, mix together the coconut oil, coconut sugar, molasses, egg, and vanilla extract. (If you have had to heat your coconut oil to liquify it, make sure it is cool before using it ). Next add in the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, spices, and salt; mix well to combine and form a dough. Leave the dough to rest for a few minutes. Using a dessert spoon, pick up small chunks and then use your hands to roll the dough into a ball. Place the cookies on a baking tray lined with an ungreased sheet of parchment paper and gently flatten the dough with your hand. If you want to give the biscuits a festive look, use Christmas themed cookie cutters.
Bake for eight to 11 minutes and remove from the oven. Allow the cookies to cool on the tray for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finishing cooling.
For information on how to deal with emotional eating, visit www.motivation.ie or call your local Motivation Weight Management clinic on 091 480160,
