With Easter around the corner, all things carrot and eggs and bunnies and chickens are popping up plenty. I usually bake a nice carrot cake around this time of the year with all the trimmings, plenty to share with friends and family. This year though, I wanted something different. I was thinking cookies and I was thinking gourmet. So I decided to bake some beautiful carrot cookies. The challenge was making them super healthy, taste absolutely scrumptious and have some special ingredients to qualify as tiny little gourmet treats. Drawing from the recipe of a basic carrot cake I started sorting out the ingredients. The recipe that evolved was egg free and sugar free. It can also be gluten free if you leave out the wheatgerm that I have used in a bid to up the fiber content.

I have used pure maple syrup for sweetening the cookies. The addition of oats, wheatgerm and coconute flakes makes this a powerhouse of nutrition and goodness. The toasted hazelnut and extra virgin olive oil add a subtle delicacy and air of luxury to these gorgeous cookies. Flecks of bright orange peeping out from the golden cooked dough and the warm aroma of cinnamon baking in the oven make these carrot cookies not only a special treat for you and your family, but also a perfect gourmet gift artfully packaged for your friends.

 

 

 

Gourmet Carrot Cookies 

 

GOURMET CARROT COOKIES

[ Preparation Time : 20 minutes/ Baking Time : 12 minutes/ Makes 36]

Ingredients

1 cup wholemeal flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
t tsp freshly grated ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup raw wheatgerm
1 cup shredded carrots
2/3 cup crushed toasted hazelnuts
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Method

Preheat oven to 180oC. Line baking sheets with baking paper.

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, oatmeal, wheatgerm, coconut, hazelnuts and ginger. Mix well. Add carrots, maple syrup and olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon till mixture is well combined and reaches a dough-like consistency.

Shape a tablespoon of dough into a small round disc in the palm of your hand and place on the prepared tray. Place cookie dough at least 1-2 inches apart. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes till golden. Cool on wire racks and store in an air-tight container for about a week.

 

Download Gourmet Carrot Cookie Recipe PDF