Hello my plant-powered buddies! You get a “2 for 1” special today. First, my recipe for Pecan Date Nibblers from LTEV (which are oil-free, sugar-free, and have a gluten-free option), AND you get to see this recipe in the making.
So, today instead of typing – I’ll let you watch me talking!
Pecan Date Nibblers
oil-free, refined sugar-free, gluten-free option
I’d been hankering for a baked cookie using dates as the primary sweetener; looking for a good pairing, I used pecans — perfect with their natural butteriness. The first batch was a winner, and these healthy, tasty little nibblers needed repeating!
1 cup whole pecans
1 cup pitted dates
1 tbsp nut butter of choice (or can substitute 1 tbsp organic extra-virgin coconut oil if you prefer)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
½ cup + 1 tbsp light or sifted spelt flour (see note for gf option)
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp (scant) sea salt
½ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp lemon or orange zest (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a food processor, first pulse the pecans until just crumbly. Then add the dates, nut butter, vanilla, and maple syrup. Pulse again until the dates are broken up into smaller pieces (but not fully processed, leave some chunkier pieces). In a bowl, sift in the flour and baking powder, and then stir in the salt, cinnamon, and zest. Add the dry mixture to the processor and pulse until the mixture starts to come to- gether. (It does not need to be fully formed into a dough, but should hold together when pressed or squeezed into a ball in your hand.) Once at this stage, stop processing. Place spoonfuls of the dough (about a couple teaspoons to 1 tbsp in size) on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool on the pan for a minute, then transfer to a cooling rack. Makes 12 – 14 nibblers (please note: LTEV recipe indicates 16-20 as a yield, this should be 12-15).
Allergy-Free or Bust! For a gluten-free version, replace the spelt flour with 1⁄3 cup of rice flour, 11⁄2 tablespoons of tapioca starch flour, and 1⁄2 teaspoon of xanthan gum. That easy!
Extra-Extra!: Try adding some cranberries, non-dairy chocolate chips, or rolled oats (about 2-3 tbsp of either).
Recipage link here.
Enjoy, and I’m returning with a very special idea that will require YOUR feedback. Please subscribe to my posts to stay in the loop! And, check out Ricki Heller’s Wellness Weekend while you’re waiting!
Robin says
This looks great. I only have a small food processor, can this be mixed by hand at some point? I don’t think all of he ingredients will fit.
Dreena says
Robin, you might give it a try in your processor, as it doesn’t make a really big batch. Try just processing the dates and pecans (you might have to do in two batches), and then transfer to a bowl to mix the rest in! Good luck, hope it works out!
Robin says
Success! I mixed in the dry ingredients with my hand in a bowl.
Dreena says
excellent! 😀
Rosalyn says
Have you ever tried coconut flour? These looks so good! I can’t wait to make them!
Dreena says
Hi Rosalyn, yes, I have used coconut flour – it’s lovely! It’s more absorbent than regular flour, so if you want to sub it here, you might need just about 1/3 cup instead of 1/2. Enjoy!
Tiffany says
Hi Dreena,
The pecan nibblers look delicious!
I want to make your Millet Amaranth porridge (from Vive le Vegan) but I’d like to adjust the recipe to one serving…How can that be done?
Would using 3T of millet and 1T of amaranth work well? Would I also divide the water and milk servings by 4?
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Dreena says
Hi Tiffany, yes, you could divide everything by 4 – might be a little easier to just cut the recipe in half and save leftovers for another day – would reheat well, covered and warmed in toaster oven or reg oven – might just need a little extra milk to soften and thin out. That help?
Tiffany says
Thank you Dreena! The porridge turned out wonderful 🙂
I recently saw this commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WrMPDNA0Dk
Its a Got Milk Ad about naming the ingredients in imitation milk. I was a little hurt because I don’t drink milk but I do consume almond milk and small amounts of soy milk. I just felt that the ad wad targeting those of us that consume such products and labeling it as artificial. I don’t think almond, soy, and rice milk are trying to imitate milk exactly but they are something new in their own right with lots of health benefits as opposed to drinking milk.
I’d love to hear your opinion…Thanks! 🙂
Ricki says
Great video, Dreena! I love the background commentary. 😀 And I am SO using your trick to get cookies off the cookie sheet from now on!!
Katrina says
Your daughter is adorable. I burst out laughing about the Aunt Jemima comment. This recipe sounds scrumptious… num num num….