For our patients at Hope4Cancer – and those participating in our Home Program – I typically don’t recommend cookies or other types of sweets in their diet. Healing cancer and eating sugar just don’t go together! But we also know it’s the holiday season, and everyone deserves a little treat.
The good news is you can still spread the cheer at your upcoming holiday gathering without sharing the harmful effects of traditional, processed ingredients. Instead, try out this healthy holiday cookie recipe this year; your family and friends might discover they have a new favorite! They’re delicious! Plus Santa will appreciate a healthier alternative to go with some almond milk by the fire!
Ingredients:
1 cup quick-cooking gluten-free rolled oats
3/4 cup gluten-free flour (try substituting almond or coconut flour)
1/3 cup coconut sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. xantham gum
1/4 tsp. fine sea salt
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. molasses
1/4 cup chopped raisins, goji berries or other dried fruit
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup chopped raw unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if desired.
- Combine all dry ingredients in large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, vanilla and molasses.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Fold in the dried fruit, nuts and coconut.
- Using your hands, roll tablespoon-size scoops of dough into balls. Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet and press down lightly on the balls to flatten the tops.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cookies cool a few minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a baking rack to cool completely. (Note that cookies may be slightly fragile when you first remove them from the cookie sheet but will firm up as they cool.)
- Enjoy!
As you try this recipe, consider reducing the amount of sugar (coconut sugar, maple syrup, molasses) to make it even more anti-cancer friendly. Personally, these are a little sweet for me. Play around with it!
(Adapted from a recipe from “The Kind Diet” by Alicia Silverstone)
(Photo source: http://healthycoconutblog.com)
