By Madhuri Karode| Posted : January 14, 2019
The words “gluten-free baking” might strike fear into your heart, but with the right ingredients, anyone’s kitchen can become a haven for healthy alternatives. These cookies are gluten-free, eggless, and feature an ancient grain that’s been a staple in India for centuries: finger millet.
Finger millet might seem like an unusual choice for flour if you’ve never tried it before, but it’s a great alternative for traditional wheat flour: not only is it a fantastic source of calcium, but it’s also high in dietary fiber and antioxidants. Finger millet is great for growing children and its flour has a rich, slightly nutty flavor that compliments chocolate perfectly.
You can whip these scrumptious, allergy-conscious cookies up in a snap, and still please the palates of even the pickiest of eaters, including kids! They’re crumbly, soft, and bursting with chocolatey goodness.
Ingredients (preferably all organic)
(servings: 6)
2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter) (for best results, I recommend the Golden Monkey ghee)
½ tsp baking powder
½ cup finger millet (ragi) flour (usually available in the natural foods aisle of your grocery store)
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup almond flour (or around 20 almonds, powdered)
¼ cup powdered milk (optional)
¼ cup organic jaggery powder or raw sugar, or any healthy version of sweetener you like
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp organic chocolate chips (or cut chunks from your favorite chocolate bar!)
¼ cup whole milk
Use any ONE of these moistening agents:
- 2 tbsp applesauce
- 1 tbsp coconut flour
- 2 tbsp banana puree
- 1 tsp sweet basil seeds (Tulsi seeds), soaked in 1 ½ tbsp water for 10 mins
Method
Mix the ghee and baking powder really well with a fork. Add the rest of the dry ingredients, and mix. Add the moistening agent, and mix again. Add just enough milk little by little that the dough begins to come together.
Make small balls out of the dough, flatten them gently, and place them on a greased cookie sheet. Pre-heat the oven. Bake the cookies for 15 minutes at 375 degrees F. Remove the cookies from the oven, and allow to cool before digging in!
An Engineer by training, Madhuri works as a volunteer and teacher for the Art of Living Foundation. She teaches life-skills & meditative techniques to help people become the best version of themselves.
