Wednesday, December 23, 2020

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS: Christmas Cookies for Santa

"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk every afternoon about three o'clock and then lay down on our blankets for a nap."

                                                                           --Barbara Jordan



Schools are closed for the winter holiday and children are home with their families making cookies for Santa.  Here is a favorite recipe filled with healthy spices like ginger and cinnamon. 

Growing Healthy Kids:  Our Recipe Collection

Vegan Gingersnaps

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup vegan butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup molasses
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 3-1/4 cups flour (I like to use 1/2 flour and 1/2 whole wheat flour)
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup sugar, for rolling

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat softened vegan butter and brown sugar together until creamy.  Add molasses and vanilla and beat until smooth. 

Add half of flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Mix on low until combined.  Add remaining flour. 

Fill small bowl with the sugar.

Scoop 2 tablespoons of dough for large cookies (or 1 tablespoon for small cookies), roll into a ball, then roll each ball in the sugar until coated.

Place balls on baking sheets. Bake for 11-12 minutes (14-15 minutes for crispier cookies) until they begin to crack on top. 

Let cool for 15 minutes.

With love,

Nancy Heinrich, MPH

Founder and Wellness Architect

Growing Healthy Kids, Inc.