Cookies and kindness with Izelle Hoffman!

Whether they're alone, together with family or with a substitute family, one thing is for sure, this Christmas has to be celebrated! 

For the next two weeks, Izelle is blessing us with some great Christmas recipes! From cookies, to roasts, she has us covered.

This week we are making her award-winning festive biscuits! But, we are also moving our bodies this week to lift our spirits! 

Festive biscuits 

Prep time: 20 minutes

Baking time: 10 minutes

Servings: 20–24 

300 g pitted dates, chopped

300 g raisins

150 g almond flour, plus extra for sprinkling

1 Tbsp caramel essence

1 heaped Tbsp raw cacao powder

¼ tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra for dusting fork

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

¼ tsp ground allspice

¼ tsp Oryx desert salt

2 heaped Tbsp almond butter

150 g buckwheat 

raw honey for drizzling

1. Soak the chopped dates and raisins in enough hot water to cover for 10–15 minutes. Drain well and mash in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients, except for the honey, and mix well with your hands. To prevent the mixture sticking to your hands, spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray. Once they start to get sticky, wash your hands and spray again.
3. Place the mixture in the fridge until completely cool.
4. Preheat the oven to 190 °C. Spray a baking tray with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with almond flour.
5. When you’re ready, spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray and start rolling the mixture into small balls (about a heaped teaspoon per ball).
6. Place the balls on the prepared tray. Dip a fork in ground cinnamon and use it to gently flatten the balls into biscuits. The cinnamon will ensure that the mixture doesn’t stick to the fork.
7. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and immediately drizzle the biscuits with honey and sprinkle with almond flour.
8. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container.

Why do we make use of these ingredients:

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants, lowers blood sugar levels and has a powerful anti-diabetic effect. It is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial.

Allspice 

This is derived from the dried, unripe berries of the Pimenta dioica, and delivers the flavours of many different spices, including cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and pepper. Allspice is anti-inflammatory, with antiseptic, antiviral and antifungal properties.

Almonds

Whether in the form of milk, flour, butter or flakes, almonds are packed with nutritional benefits. They boost the immune system, help repair damaged skin, help prevent cancer, reduce the risk of osteoporosis and have alkalising properties. They are also a source of vitamin E, magnesium and high-quality protein. 

Dates

Dates are rich in selenium, manganese, copper and magnesium, all of which are required to keep bones healthy and prevent conditions such as osteoporosis. 

Oryx Desert Salt

What is the purpose of adding salt during cooking? It’s to enhance flavour, right? So why not start by using a good-quality salt to do the job? Sundried and unrefined with no additives will bring out the best in your food in the healthiest way possible.

Raw Honey

Salt needs sweet and vice versa to enhance taste and flavour. So when you add sweetness, choose a sweetness that has a healing effect on your body and health. Raw honey is antiviral and antifungal, and contains powerful antioxidants. Its helps ward off allergies, stabilise blood pressure and balance blood sugar levels. It also boosts the immune system and promotes digestive health.

Raw Cacao

Raw cacao contains very high amounts of antioxidants, reduces appetite and helps with weight loss. It alleviates stress, helps manage depression and regulates blood pressure. It is a fantastic source of calcium too.

Raisins

Immune Boosting, Excellent source of Iron,  reduces acidity & blood pressure

Buckwheat

Anti-inflammatory, gluten free and easily digestible, buckwheat is beneficial in improving bone health and a rich source of fibre.

If you need a little bit of motivation this week, listen here: 

Another one ingredient challenge: What's in your fridge?

You can buy your copy of the award winning 'Mindful Eating' cookbook here!

You can catch more of Danny's podcasts via your favorite streaming service using these links: