Goji Mulberry Chewy Cookies

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~ raw, gluten-free, vegan ~

These wholesome oatmeal cookies are chewy and moist, featuring sweet mulberries, goji berries, and comforting spice. A generous bonus (pun intended) to these little gems is that they are only fruit sweetened.  I did add a little stevia to pump of the sweet level (for my dad’s liking) but taste test the batter before adding… you may find them perfect as is.

I always enjoy using dried mulberries whenever I have the chance. They are similar to dried figs in flavor and texture. When dried, they contain 70% carbs, 14% fiber, 12% protein and 3% fat, which makes them reasonably high in protein, at least compared to most berries.

They are also an excellent source of iron, calcium, and vitamin C. And let’s not forget that they are high in antioxidants, including resveratrol.

As I dug into the nutrients of mulberries… I had to go even deeper with one particular nutrient that they have to offer, and that is resveratrol. Resveratrol helps to protect the lining of your arteries so blood flows as it should. It also helps in reducing oxidative stress, which prevents the premature aging of cells. They also give cellular support that improves mental function and promotes oral/dental health. And the benefits keep on coming, but I am going to stop there for now.

If interested, you also find resveratrol in the skin of grapes, blueberries, raspberries, mulberries, lingonberry, and senna.

There are so many other excellent ingredients used in these cookies, but I thought mulberries needed a little star-light shown upon them. :)  I do hope you enjoy this recipe and will comment below. Have a blessed day, amie sue

Ingredients:

yields 30 (1/4 cup measurement cookies)

• 2 cups gluten-free, rolled oats, soaked
• 1 cup chopped raw hazelnuts, soaked
• 1 3/4 cup dried goji berries, re-hydrated
• 1 cup raisins, re-hydrated
• 1 cup dried mulberries, re-hydrated
• 3/4 cup desiccated coconut flakes, unsweetened

Wet ingredients:

• 4 ripe bananas, ripe
• 1 cup date paste
• 1 Tbsp ground Ceylon cinnamon
• 2 tsp liquid NuNaturals stevia 
• 1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt

Preparation:

1. To start the recipe, soak the oats and hazel according to the links provided above.
   • Drain and discard the soaking water and rinse thoroughly.  Especially the oats, this will take a few minutes.
   • If you already have soaked and dehydrated nuts and oats on hand, use those. No need to soak them again. You might need to add a little water to the batter at the end.
2. Place the oats, nuts, dried strawberries, raisins, and coconut in a large bowl.
3. In a food processor, fitted with the “S blade, combine the bananas, date paste, cinnamon, and stevia.  Process until creamy. Set aside.
4. Pour the wet ingredients over the other ingredients in the mixing bowl. Using your hands, get in there, and mix everything until it is all evenly coated.
5. Using a 1/4 cup cookie scoop, place the cookies on non-stick sheets that come with the dehydrator.
   • I did 9 per tray, leaving space in between them.
   • Once a tray is full, pick it up by the bottom 2 corners. Lightly tap the tray on the countertop 2x, turn the tray, and do this on each edge.  By doing this, it will somewhat flatten the cookies, making them the perfect cookie shape.
6. Dry at 145 degrees (F) for 1 hour, reduce to 115 degrees (F) and continue to dry for 8-10 hours or until the desired dryness/moisture is achieved.
   • Halfway through, transfer the cookies to the mesh sheet to speed up the dry time.
   • Dry times will always vary depending on the climate, humidity, model of the machine, and how full it is.
7. Allow to cool, then store in an airtight container.  These will freezer perfectly as well.

• Why do I specify Ceylon cinnamon?  Click (here) to learn why.
• What is Himalayan pink salt, and does it matter?  Click (here) to read more about it.
• Are oats gluten-free?  Yes, read more about that (here).
• Are oats raw?  Yes, they can be found.  Click (here) to learn more.
• Do I need to soak and dehydrate oats?  Not required but recommended.  Click (here) to see why.

Tags: Dairy Free, Dehydrated, Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free, Soy Free, Vegan