Cranberry and Orange Oat Cookies
I used to hate packing lunchboxes for my children… they’d have the same sandwiches almost every day and a range of shop bought snacks that I’d added to the trolley during my weekly shop in the hope that some of them were as healthy as the packaging led you to believe. And then I woke up….
I realised that the majority of the 'healthy’ pre-packaged snacks and granola bars I was buying were full of hidden ingredients, including additives and preservatives that at first glance I’d naively assumed weren’t on the list. According to Dr. Chris VanTulleken - author of ‘Ultra-Processed People’ - if a food company makes a health claim on the front of the packet, it’s more likely than not untrue and best to be avoided!
Last year my daughter’s school introduced a policy of ‘fruit and vegetables only’ for snacktime and I led an assembly for them on the vast benefits that colourful fruit and vegetables can provide for both brain and body. Around the same time I pledged to mix it up a bit, take more time and thought over my own children’s lunchboxes and ensure that they were getting a healthy balance of protein, fibre and complex carbs to boost their energy and concentration in the afternoons at school. My daughter still begs me for ‘Treat Friday’ when a little bit of chocolate might find its way into one compartment of her bento box, but for the rest of the week ‘sweet treats’ are homemade with no refined sugar or flour and often packed with berries (fresh or dried) and spices for additional health boosting benefits.
If you’re looking for an easy alternative to shop bought granola bars or cookies, look no further than my ‘Cranberry and Orange Oat Cookies’. These crumbly creations are sweetened with the natural flavours of oranges, as well as juicy cranberries renowned for their antioxidant properties and the crunch of toasted coconut, which can help balance blood sugar levels a little too. A batch of these barely lasts a couple of days in our household… and if you live locally you’re welcome to order some directly from me to find out for yourselves.
Ingredients
100g oat flour / wholemeal self raising flour or gluten free alternative
100g oats (preferably organic)
100g softened butter / non-dairy alternative
60g of dried cranberries (pre-soak them for extra juiciness and avoid those with added sulphites if possible)
20g coconut sugar ( - I think the fruit juices sweeten them enough but some of you may want to increase the amount of sugar for extra sweetness. I use coconut sugar as it has a lower GI than other refined sugars such as table or castor)
20g toasted coconut
1 tbsp chia seeds (plant-based powerhouses containing antioxidants, minerals, fibre and omega-3 fatty acids)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
zest and juice of one orange
Method:
Pre-heat oven at 160 degrees fan
Beat together butter, sugar and vanilla and then add all dry ingredients
For natural sweetness add juice and zest of the orange as well as cranberries
Mix together to form a sticky dough and then divide into approximately 12 balls on a pre-lined baking tray ( - or make 16 smaller cookies)
Space out well, lightly flatten with the back of a spoon and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.
Leave to firm up and cool - enjoy!
