Orange, Walnut & Chocolate Cookies

I was on a mission. My munching mission was to pretty much ‘free’ the classic choc-chip cookie for those who have food sensitivities. I wanted to tantalise my taste buds and twist tradition with a treat that was gluten-free, egg-free, cane sugar-free, and dairy-free.  After a few flops, I came up with these super-duper easy to make cookies. Oh, and did I mention that they’re absolutely not flavour-free? Happy ‘free’ baking!

Ingredients:
1.5 cups of brown rice flour

¼ teaspoon of sea salt

½ teaspoon of baking powder

½ cup chopped walnuts

½ cup chopped sugar-free 70% dark chocolate

½ cup maple syrup

1/3 cup grapeseed oil

1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest

1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed orange juice

Directions:

1. Preheat the over to 180° and lightly grease an oven tray
2. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, walnuts and chopped chocolate
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the remaining ingredients
4. Add the liquid mix to the dry mix and combine
5. Place heaped teaspoonfuls of dough (about 5 cm apart) on the oven tray and place in the middle of the oven
6. Bake for 12 minutes and then allow to cool on a wire rack

Nutrition Bite: Oranges – It’s no secret that oranges are loaded with Vitamin C to help boost the immune system, support collagen production and keep healthy gums. Vitamin C also aids iron absorption so it’s a good idea when consuming foods high in iron, to have a food rich in Vitamin C either with or straight after a meal. Squeeze an orange cookie in after dinner perhaps…it may just count.