We’ve had a lot of granola bars lately and even though each set has been different, I thought I would do cookies this week for our morning teas. And not just any cookies – these are gluten-free and delicious with the flavours of almond, coconut and of course a little indispensable chocolate. I found the recipe at the A sweet Spoonful blog, which is well worth checking out.
As a food blogger, I see kitchen stores in a completely different way to the normal cook. I look for small everything. Cute wee jugs which hold a tablespoon of sauce, tiny pots for a mouthful of mousse, a miniature spoon. You would think we live in a dollhouse but I need props which fit in the photo frame and adult sized objects often mean that the tops get cut off. And anyway, wee is just plain cuter.
I am always dropping into our local thrift charity shop where I buy amazing objects for a couple of dollars. The other place I have found some wonderful props is Trademe, New Zealand’s equivalent of Ebay. The other day I bought six silver serving spoons, slices and forks for $8.
Recently I cleared out a cupboard so I could stash all my props in there but it is now bursting at the seams and I am looking elsewhere for space. But choice is not always a good thing. Sometimes I can stand in front of that cupboard for some time trying to work out what to use. It’s a bit like having too many clothes and swearing you have nothing to wear. I remember fondly the year I spent teaching on Volunteer Service Abroad in Fiji – because of my lack of clothes, not because of the craziness that happened that year. That story is for another time. I had 4 or 5 dresses and that was basically it. I wore whatever was clean that day and the lack of choice was surprisingly freeing. I still think I can live like that again but when I come to throw out clothes, something squirrel-like happens and I clutch at my store of clothes like the squirrel does to its nuts. A lean time could be ahead and I need to stock up just in case. Illogical but instinctive.
The other thing that likes to store itself is weight – on my body. Why can my body require so little food before it is in overload mode? I ride my stationary bike for 1/2 an hour five times a week and yet still I must only eat like a sparrow or I fill out like a pigeon. These cookies shouldn’t do much damage but I did make them quite small. The others can eat two at a time while I suffer with only one.
This is not a low Fodmap recipe.
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 1¼ cups almond meal
- ¼ cups chocolate chips
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup raw sugar
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Preheat the oven to 375 F. Toast the sliced almonds until fragrant and golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Let cool, and then chop well.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the almond meal, chocolate chips, chopped almonds, coconut, baking powder, salt and sugar.
- In another bowl, beat the egg very well until it’s a uniform color and doubles in volume.
- Whisk in the coconut oil and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Refrigerate bowl for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll the chilled dough into 1″ balls. Place on baking sheet with 1” space between them, and give them a gentle press with the palm of your hand to flatten them slightly.
- Bake until edges just begin to brown, about 7-10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving.
Small is a good thing when it comes to cookies. A little bite is sometimes all you need when it sounds as good as your cookies do.
I think small is very good and I am sticking to it from now on.
Suzanne
I love your almond, coconut and chocolate chip combo! These cookies look quite delicious!
That little bit of chocolate always helps.
Suzanne
What a delicious cookie!
Thanks, Jen. They did work out well.
Suzanne
These look so yummy. I love cookies warm out of the oven.
Warm is best but I’ll take them cold as well.
Suzanne
You certainly have traveled the globe. A year in Fiji? That would have been a wonderful experience I’m sure as I’ve found the Fijian people to be some of the nicest in the world. Your cookies look so golden and lovely and it’s great that they’re gluten-free. My husband sounds like you in that if he doesn’t exercise daily the kilos start to pile on immediately. With him it’s a constant battle xx
The Fijians are lovely people but it was a hard year because I was only 18 and teaching secondary school. Quite an experience! Let me know if your husband figures out what gives with this weight thing.
Suzanne
Isn’t it amazing what we now shop for as food bloggers? I have a huge stash of dish towels…and tons of new white dishes 🙂 I love cookies…especially ones with coconut!
I also have all sorts of white dishes of every shape and size. In many cases, just one or two of each so not practical for a family.
Suzanne
Sigh – I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted and not gain weight. Those days are long gone. So I try to eat a reasonable amount of really good stuff – more satisfying that way. These cookies look great! And I like the food styling. I know what you mean about looking for little dishes, glasses, etc – I do the same thing!
We are a breed apart us food bloggers. We see the world differently.
Suzanne
How can cookies that look this delicious be so healthy?!?! I’m on a granola/health kick lately, so these cookies are totally up my alley. I need to make these, like right now.
I have a lot of great granola bar recipes on my site as well. I think I am the queen of granola bars.
Suzanne
I’ve recently organized my props and now they’re stored in one closet–it didn’t take long for me to fill it up either. I completely understand what you mean about having so much but feeling like you have nothing to use and also needing to buy mini-size items. What a problem we food bloggers have, right? But it’s so fun, too. 🙂
I’m just now getting my feet wet with gluten free baking. This is going on my to-try list since it has all my favorite flavors. 🙂
My husband just rolls his eyes at my cupboard or pretty and mini-sized things.
I am fascinated by gluten-free foods, which is strange since I am okay with gluten but they feel healthier and less stodgy.
Suzanne
I love the use of coconuts in this. While I’m not gluten free a friend at work is so I am always looking out for treats that she can share with us!
Coconut and chocolate is always a welcome combination. I am having one each day for morning tea and I am enjoying them immensely.
Suzanne
Hi
This recipe does look good but I would query the coconut oil? Saw at the recent Food Show (what a great treat for foodie!) that it was being promoted but I thought it was not supposed to be very healthy. isn’t it high in chloresterol? Could you substitute another vegetable oil?
Thanks!
I know what you mean – there does seem to be some controversy about coconut oil. There is a growing contingency which supports it for its other benefits and I am confused. However, I am sure that butter or another oil would work but I have never tried these cookies with anything other than coconut oil.
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne!
I am gluten and dairy intolerant and am always on the prowl for yummy things to eat. These cookies look just heavenly and am planning on making them today. Many times gluten free recipes unfortunately are not necessarily made with healthly ingredients so I love that you use coconut oil! It’s had such a bad rap but coconut is awesome for you.
Can’t wait to make them!
xoxo, Sharon
I am confused about coconut oil because I continue to hear how bad it is but then so are so many other foods depending on your own intolerance to them. The cookies are worth making.
Suzanne
I made these last night. They didn’t really get brown. We just moved into a new home so I’m still getting to know my oven so maybe that’s why they didn’t brown. Golden or not, they are my husband’s new favorite cookies and I love the subtle coconut flavor. Yum!
Looking forward to experimenting with your other delicious recipes!
xo, Sharon
Ah, yes, ovens! Don’t get me started! Mine browns everything way before the inside is cooked so I have to cover everything with foil.
I was surprised at how good these are with all those flavours in there. I’m glad your husband approved.
Suzanne
These look so yummy. My kind of cookies.
I don’t know if I have ever mentioned, but I find your photography so nostalgic, it reminds me of my childhood cookbooks, the classics.
Thanks, Clara. It’s not that I am trying to get that look – it just happens, I guess.
Suzanne
These look wonderful. Are they crispy or soft?
They are soft and moreish.
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