1. After soaking the oats and buckwheat, rinse them both with cool water until the water runs clear. Hand-squeeze the excess water from both of them before adding to the recipe.
2. In a food processor, fitted with the “S” blade, combine the; buckwheat, oats, flax, pumpkin puree, water, sweeteners, maple flavoring,  pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and salt. Process until it turns into a thick paste.
3. Add the pecans, raisins, and coconut. Processing until semi-broken down.
4. Hand mix in the last cup of pecans for texture.

(Here comes the fun part… This creates a natural cookie shape.)

1. Place your dehydrator tray, lined with a mesh sheet to the side.
2. Have a nonstick sheet in front of you.
3. Scoop out 1/4 cup of batter.
4. Roll into a ball in the palm of your hands.
   • If the batter is sticky on your hands, keep a bowl of water nearby and quickly dip them in the water in between rolling the balls.
5. I want you to raise the cookie dough ball high into the air and drop it (with force) onto the nonstick sheet in front of you. (don’t forget to holler, “Cookie Bomb!” as it lands)
6. Lift the nonstick sheet up and lay the flattened cookie in your palm, peeling off the nonstick sheet.
7. Place the cookie on the mesh sheet on the dehydrator tray.
8. Repeat and have fun till all the batter is used up.

Dehydrated:

1. Dehydrate at 145 degrees for 1 hour, then reduce to 115 degrees (F) for 16 hours or until it reaches the desired dryness.
   • Have one cookie designated to be the taste-tester. Throughout the drying process, break off a piece, let it cool, and then test it for the moisture level that you want to be left in the cookie. Bob likes his cookies dry; I like mine moist.
2. Remove from dehydrator and allow to cool.
3. Shelf life:
   • Countertop: 5-7 days
   • Fridge for 3 weeks
   • Freezer 1-3 months
   • Remember * the shelf life will depend on how much moisture is left in the cookie. The more moisture, the shorter the shelf life.

Culinary Explanations:

• Why do I start the dehydrator at 145 degrees (F)?  Click (here) to learn the reason behind this.
• When working with fresh ingredients, it is important to taste test as you build a recipe.  Learn why (here).
• Don’t own a dehydrator? Learn how to use your oven (here). I do however honestly believe that it is a worthwhile investment. Click (here) to learn what I use.