Brain Food! Yummy Walnut Maple Cookies

Say the word “cookie” and you have me! Then when you say, “it’s healthy”, I would probably be inclined to give it a miss. However, here’s a cookie that is delicious and healthy, with no refined sugar (the stand-in being maple syrup) and packed with ingredients rich in vegetarian sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. What are those, you ask? Well, to be honest, I don’t know much about them. I do know that the body needs them and they are good for your brain. 😉 I also know that these Walnut Maple Cookies are made almost weekly at my house and disappear before I can get my hands on them!

My mother-in-law is a magician at making healthy ingredients taste awesome. This cookie is a family favourite. My only gripe with it would be that I can’t send it to school as a snack because of the nut ban at both my kid’s educational institutions. But it is great as an after-school pick-me-up, while doing homework and I have them (if there are any left) while working accompanied with a hand-poured coffee or cup of tea.

Enjoy! And you’re welcome.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups walnuts, ground coarsely in food processor
• 2/3 cup wholemeal spelt flour
• 1 tsp fine salt
• 1/3 cup chia seeds (or linseeds, ground)
• 1/3 cup black currants
• 1/2 cup maple syrup + 2 tbs
• 2 tsp vanilla

Variations

• You can substitute chopped dates, raisins or dried cherries for the currants.
• Don’t substitute the walnuts as they are one of the best vegetarian sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Method

1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius.
2. Mix all dry ingredients together in large bowl.
3. Mix all wet ingredients together in a separate, small bowl.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix well. If the mixture is dry, add some water, one tablespoon at a time. The mixture should hold together when squeezed in your hand.
5. Drop dough onto a cookie tray and flatten with a fork. (Tip: use baking paper to prevent from sticking.)
6. Bake for 12 to 16 minutes until golden brown.
7. Let cool before removing from tray.

P.S. Store them in an air-tight container

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Recipe kindly provided by Merrilyn Manners and inspired by Dr Neil Nedley, “Depression, the Way Out”.