Food for the Finish
Three women mushers on fuel for body and spirit
In the food world, “mush” is usually pejorative. Mush enters the English language in the 17th century as a variant of mash. The word calls to...
Evelyn Beecher says she “doesn’t use that sugary energy stuff; it doesn’t sustain you.” Instead, she relies on high protein and high healthy fat foods to fuel her to the finish. After a big day out with the dogs, she likes to settle in with a cup of tea, particularly a warm cup of Earl Grey (her second favorite is orange). These cookies, inspired by Beecher’s favorites, are made without any refined sugar and high protein flours provide fuel and evoke the comfort of that cozy cup of tea.
Ingredients
SERVINGS: 12—14 Cookies
- ¾ cup almond flour
- ½ cup chickpea flour
- ½ cup coconut flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2½ teaspoons vanilla
- 1 teaspoon orange zest or orange zest powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Earl Grey tea powder, processed from about 2 tablespoons loose leaf Earl Grey tea
- ½ cup coconut oil, room temperature
- ½ cup honey or agave
- 2 tablespoons aquafaba (optional)
- ¾ cup nut butter (I make my own by combining in a food processor 1 heaping cup toasted, unsalted cashews, 1 teaspoon oil, and 1 teaspoon water.)
Preparation
In a small bowl whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, orange zest, and Earl Grey tea powder.
In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, blend together the oil, honey or agave, aquafaba, and nut butter. Blend for 2 minutes to activate the aquafaba, and combine ingredients thoroughly.
Mix dry into wet. The batter will be thick and glossy, and taste really, really good. (You don’t have to feel bad about tasting it since there is no egg in the batter, but don’t eat it all.)
Let chill for at least 20 minutes in the fridge (do not skip this step or the cookies will spread unevenly). Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 325° F.
Roll batter into 2 tablespoon-sized rounds. Lightly pat onto a parchment lined or prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 12 minutes until lightly golden and puffed. Turn off the oven and cool in the oven for 5 minutes with the door open. Cool for another 10 minutes on the counter. You can skip these cooling steps, but it leads to the best textured, still-warm cookies, and promotes patience! Enjoy with a warm mug of Earl Grey.
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