I learned about a lot of cookie varieties growing up watching Sesame Street. Cookie Monster collected ’em like Pokeman cards. Some were common, like chocolate chip. But there were plenty of others that five-year-old me had never tried, like macaroons. While my Sesame Street-watching days are long behind me, cookies are something you never outgrow.
Like Cookie Monster, sometimes a hankering for something sweet and unexpected hits. And if you find yourself hunting around for a new cookie recipe that’s sure to become a tried-and-true favorite, the latest episode of Alt-Baking Bootcamp has you covered.
In the episode, health coach, Living Lovely ($9) author, and recipe creator Haile Thomas shares her personal recipe for vegan, gluten-free coconut lime cookies, and they are anything but ordinary. Not only are they delicious (sweet with just a hint of tartness), they’re also full of gut-healthy benefits. This is because they’re made with fiber-rich ingredients including rolled oats, oat flour, and ground flaxseed. Fiber is key for keeping the digestive system moving and working properly, so it’s safe to say your microbiome will thank you for trying this treat.
The cookies are also made with cinnamon (linked to fighting inflammation) and ground ginger powder. Ginger is great for gut health because it’s linked to helping prevent indigestion as well as alleviating bloating or constipation; basically whatever stomach woe you have, ginger can help with. Besides all these benefits, the cookies are also made with nut butter, which adds protein while making the cookies’ texture rich and creamy. “You can use any nut butter you like, but I use cashew butter because it has a creaminess I really like,” Thomas says in the episode. The oats and flax up the protein content of the cookies significantly, too.
Of course besides the nut butter, ginger, and cinnamon, freshly grated lime zest and coconut flakes are key to giving the cookies their flavor. In the episode, Thomas shows how to combine them all so the flavors come through in every single bite. “It smells like a beach vacation in a cookie,” Thomas says, while stirring the ingredients together. Talk about a delicious way to extend your summer vibes.
Watch the episode to see step-by-step how to make the coconut lime cookies and check out the full recipe below.
Coconut lime cookies
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1/4 cup oat flour
2 1/2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1/2 Tbsp lime zest
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger powder
2 Tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 tsp salt
3 Tbsp melted coconut oil
1/4 cup unsalted creamy nut butter of your choice
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients until well incorporated. Set aside. In a medium bowl, combine all liquid ingredients. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until well combined with a spatula.
3. Using a tablespoon measurement or a medium-sized cookie scoop, portion and drop the cookie dough onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Space each evenly and flatten the surface halfway with a fork.
4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and place baking sheet on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes to help the cookies firm. Move the cookies directly onto the rack and allow them to cool fully before storing… or enjoy right away!
Get more healthy dessert ideas in Well+Good’s Cook With Us Facebook group.
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