The Unbaked Cookie

 These cookies are so easy, and the kids love making them (largely because they can start popping them into their mouths the second they are done rolling them).  I like them because the mess is minimal, they are packed with good fats and protein, use no refined sugars, and are flourless.  Oh yah, and of course they are GF/DF friendly.  Once you get this recipe done, you can begin to explore the millions of different variations to try in the future.  It's pretty hard to screw these up.

The ingredients:

(Please soak all nuts 8-12 hours to remove enzyme inhibitors, then dehydrate or slow roast at low temp to achieve crispness again - your gut thanks you)

1 cup Raw Organic Walnuts
1 cup Raw Organic Almonds

1/2 cup Raw Organic Pumpkin Seeds (you could toss in some Ground Flax Seeds also)

6-8 Organic Pitted Whole Medjool Dates (Deglet would work also)

2 tbsp Organic Coconut Oil (just softened)

1 tsp Gluten Free Almond or Vanilla flavor (you could scrape a vanilla bean to achieve this also!)

1/3 cup Gluten Free Organic Crunchy Rice Cereal (unsweetened or fruit juice sweetened)

1/2 cup Organic Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

Put the first 6 ingredients in a food processor and blend just until it starts to ball together.  If it seems a bit too dry still, add a tiny bit more oil and give it another whirl.  The oil from the walnuts makes it so you don't need much.  When it is balling together nicely, put it all in a separate bowl and squish in the Crunchy Rice Cereal until blended.  Then start rolling small handfuls into balls, and then cover/roll in the coconut.  Put them all on a pretty plate and enjoy now, or store them in your fridge for later.  They are delicious cold!

Other ideas for added interest, adding cinnamon and currants, or organic dried blueberries, or fruit juice sweetened organic cranberries, or even dried cherries or pineapple or mangos.   Always be sure your dried fruits are sweetened with only fruit juice, not sulphured,  and organic if possible, for your health's sake.  :-)