Oatmeal and Raisin Cookies

14. April, 2009

These are typical Christmas cookies in the Icelandic household. My grandmother and mother made similar cookies and my husband's grandmother and my mother in law also made them. I am breaking tradition here because my recipe is slightly healthier than the traditional oatmeal and raisin cookies. There were absolutely no health options available for our grandmothers when they were making these in the old days (not trying to be sexist here, it's just that the older generations of grandfathers hardly ever cooked at all). My grandmother was even born in a turf hut in the middle of nowhere and the family was lucky to get anything to eat at all as the food was scarce and the winters extremely hard. Spelt, coconut oil and agave nectar was very much not on my grandma's 'shopping list', that is for sure. Times have changed in Iceland and now we have lots of healthy options. Although excruciatingly expensive, we have the options available and that is important. If my grandmother was alive, I am sure she would like these cookies as much as my friends and family do.

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These cookies will give you a slow releasing energy boost

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This recipe is:

Lactose (dairy) free
Nut free
Vegan

Oatmeal and Raisin Cookies

Makes 40 cookies

Ingredients

150 grams (5¼ oz) rolled oats
125 grams (4½ oz) spelt flour
2 teaspoons aluminium free and gluten free baking powder
½ teaspoon salt (Himalaya or sea salt)
100 grams (3½ oz) Rapadura (or other raw cane sugar)
100 millilitres (3½ fluid oz) agave nectar
90 millilitres (3 fluid oz) apple sauce
3 eggs (please use free range eggs)
4 tablespoons coconut oil
240 grams (8½ oz) raisins
4 tablespoons orange juice (if needed)

Preparation

In a large bowl sift together the 125 grams spelt flour, ½ teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons baking powder. Add the 150 grams rolled oats.
In a medium bowl, mix together 90 millilitres apple sauce, 100 grams raw cane sugar, 4 tablespoons coconut oil, 100 millilitres agave nectar and 3 eggs.
With a large wooden spoon, fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir everything together.
Add the 240 grams raisins and stir a couple of times.
If the batter is very dry, add up to 4 tablespoons orange juice.
Use your hands to bring everything together to form a dough.
Leave in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Place baking parchment on a baking tray.
Kneed the dough lightly and form small balls with your hands. Place on the baking parchment and press down lightly with a fork (to even out any bumps).
Bake at 200 degrees Celsius/400 Fahrenheit/Gas Mark 4, for 20 minutes.
Cool on a wire rack.

Tips

You can add 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for a healthy option.
You can use maple syrup instead of the agave nectar.
If the coconut oil is cold (in which case it becomes solid), place the jar in a bowl filled with hot water for a couple of minutes.
You can use whole wheat flour instead of the spelt flour.
You can use regular baking powder instead of the aluminium and gluten free one.
You can use organic baby food instead of the apple sauce. Use baby food with apples, apricots, pineapples, bananas or pears. Just make sure they are without added sugar.
Add a handful of chopped, dark chocolate for an extra special treat
Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecan nuts for a healthy option.
You can use dates or currants instead of the raisins.