Sugar temptations are hard to resist, especially around the holiday season!
Are you breaking away from sugar or hosting friends and family with dietary restrictions? This simple, yet delicious vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free recipe is loaded with nutrients.
The combination of spices, nuts and a subtle, natural sweetness derived from dates and dried apricot lead to an explosion of delicious flavors. A healthy dessert to serve during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Ingredients:
2½ cups almond flour
1 cup roughly chopped roasted, unsalted walnuts
1 cup roughly chopped roasted, unsalted pistachios
1 cup chopped pitted dates
1 cup chopped dried apricot
½ cup shredded coconut (extra for sprinkling)
⅓ cup chia seeds
¾ cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon matcha powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon cardamom
1 orange zest
2 bananas
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Saffron (optional garnish)
Preparation:
1 - Pre heat oven to 375 degrees.
2 - In a deep bowl, mash banana, add coconut oil, orange zest and vanilla, whisk together until you get a smooth and creamy texture.
3 - Combine almond flour, baking powder, matcha, cinnamon, and cardamom together, swivel over the banana mixture.
4 - Add dates, walnuts, pistachios, coconut, chia seeds and fold together, to form a dough-like texture.
5 - Roll dough into cylinder shape in parchment paper and freeze for 30 minutes.
6 - Cut dough into ½ inch circles and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.
7 - Take out and sprinkle with shredded coconut. Optional, garnish with saffron for added festive colors.
Looking for a pairing suggestion, beside a good cup of coffee? Try Tokaji, the Hungarian best kept secret, and one of the world’s most sophisticated sweet wines.
2004 Hétszőlő Aszú 5 Puttonyos:
A blend of Furmint, Hárslevelű and Sárgamuskotály, this gem has remarkable qualities of racing acidity, freshness, complexity and balance. It opens up with pronounced aromas of ripe apple, pear, white peaches, dried apricot, dried mango, honey, acacia, gingerbread, orange blossom, caramelized orange peel and pastry, topped with caramel, toasted almond, and hazelnut. On the palate you get waves of confirmed flavors that hit your taste buds, complemented with elegant minerality, leading to a lingering, long finish.
Enjoy!
Happy Holidays!
Elissar
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