Choc nut biscuits that are healthy - gluten, sugar, egg and dairy-free snack. A super-tasty, packed-with-good-fats biscuit for the whole family.
A while ago, there was a lot of hype about sugar. There still is I suppose and a lot of people are still confused about it.
I remember watching That Sugar Film a while ago and finding it so interesting.
Did you know sugar is hiding in so so many processed foods, even baked beans?
The movie is a bit of a human experiment and it totally blew my mind that this guy’s breakfast of a popular ‘healthy’ breakfast cereal, with some low-fat yoghurt and a glass of juice, contained a whopping 20 teaspoons (that’s 80g!!!) of refined sugar.
Can you believe it?
I make so many of our foods from scratch and always go for full-fat varieties of things but I didn’t realise I was skipping so much sugar too.
Now I know that fruit has sugar in it and dried fruit is basically concentrated sugar but dates are a lot better for you than refined, white sugar. They're something our body recognises.
I’m totally addicted to using them in baking, smoothies and raw goodies but I hadn't realised until recently, you can blend them together with some nuts, bake it and you have a biscuit.
A super-tasty, packed-with-good-fats biscuit.
Once I’d made the original recipe which was just pecans and dates, I got experimenting with different nuts and flavours.
I think you could even use other dried fruit but you’d probably need to work out the weight of the dates to make it even.
I’m thinking of adding choc-chips to the next batch. I know that would kind of cut out the whole dairy and sugar free part but it would be oh-so-tasty.
This version is mighty tasty as it is.
Tips
- You can use any nuts or combination of nuts you like/have on hand - feel free to mix up the flavours. I’m thinking peanuts would be rather delicious with cacao.
- If you like you can use fresh dates just don’t soak them.
- Don’t over-process the batter or the nuts will release their oils and your biscuits will be an oily mess. You want to process them just until everything holds when you pinch a bit of dough together.
- They don’t really spread so you can put them pretty close together on the tray.
- They freeze well. I just threw them all in a ziplock bag and I grab a couple for on-the-go. The little man is pretty keen on them too.
Enjoy!
What about you? Have you seen That Sugar Film? Are there certain things you always make from scratch?
Recipe
Choc nut biscuits (gluten, sugar, egg & dairy free)
Ingredients
- 20 dried pitted dates
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 10 g 2tbsp desiccated coconut
- 390 g 14oz mixed nuts (I used walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, brazil nuts and almonds)
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao or use cocoa
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 160C(320F) fan-forced and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Place the dates in a heat-proof bowl and cover with hot water then leave to soak for 15 minutes.
- Drain the dates well then place them in the bowl of a food processor or thermomix.
- Add the vanilla and process until the dates are all chopped up.
- Add the coconut, nuts, cinnamon, salt and cacao and process just until the mixture comes together.
- Using a heaped teaspoon of mixture at a time, roll into balls then flatten slightly and place on the tray leaving 1-2cm between each one.
- Bake for 10 minutes and then leave to cool completely on the tray (out of the oven).
- Store in an airtight container.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I did see it at a preview. I was most shocked by the breakfast as well as the kid's meal too! I'll tkae one paper bag full please :D
Claire says
Coming right up!
Hotly Spiced says
I do love how beautifully neat your biscuits are. I'm only just realising just how much you can use dates in recipes. They certainly are very versatile xx
Claire says
Aren't they Charlie. I am loving them at the moment! x
Rhonda B says
Hi Chaire, I can't wait to try this and the chocolate chip one too.......you could replace the normal chocolate chips with cacao chips if you wanted to keep on the straight and narrow......just a thought. About the sugar movie. I've not seen it but I have the 'I Quit Sugar' recipe book which helps somewhat. How can I go about viewing the sugar movie. Do you have any suggestions?
Claire says
Ah yes that's true about the cacao nibs. Good idea! I watched it on iTunes but I'm not sure how else to watch it sorry.
Tania | My Kitchen Stories says
I have to say I'd like to give these a try Claire but only because of the dates. I love dates. I haven't seen the film although I suggested my teenager should have seen it he likes nothing better than store bought biscuits and icecream. I have given up making him anything specific. He wastes it. I just bake things for other people and they are usually things full of sugar......but you have 1 1/2 little ones and there is still time to keep that sugar away from them!
Claire says
Yes that's very true. I'm sure I won't have too many years of keeping it away from him. Shall do what I can while I can!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
These sound wonderful Claire. In addition to snacking, they'd be the perfect thing to take along on a hike or bike ride for a little extra energy!
Claire says
Oh yes Chris perfect for your bike rides!