Now winter is here, I thought we were all be in need of a little warmth! Spices have long been treasured for their flavour and health benefits. Research now shows that they can have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Inflammation is considered to be a major contributor to obesity, heart disease and other health problems.
The spices in these biscuits/cookies are great for the colder weather and they can also help to keep our bodies well. I thought these lovely men biscuits are a great way to keep us warm with the mix of spices. On Sunday I asked my son Ted to help me make these little men and it was a big hit with him. He enjoyed rolling the dough and cutting the shapes. Most of all he enjoyed eating them when they were cooked.
Makes 24 – 36
Equipment needed
- Mixing bowls x 2
- Scales
- Blender
- Electric whisk
- Mixing spoon
- Zester
- Juicer or fork
- Tablespoon
- Teaspoon
- Baking tray
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- Gluten free oats x 200g
- Ground almonds x 100g
- Brown rice flour x 100g, plus extra for dusting.
- Baking powder x 1 tsp
- Ground ginger x 2 tbsp or Fresh ginger grated x 1 inch piece
- Cinnamon x 2 tsp
- Cloves x 1/4 tsp
Wet Ingredients
- Coconut sugar x 150 g
- Vegan butter, unsalted butter or ghee x 150 g
- Orange x 1 (zest and juice)
- Almond Milk x 50mls (To be added at the end, if needed)
Method
- Firstly remove the butter or ghee from the fridge before you want to use it.
- Put the gluten free oats, almond flour, rice flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon and cloves into the blender.
- Blender all of these ingredients together until a fine flour is formed.
- While the ingredients are in the blender you may need to push them around the cup with the spatula the blender comes with.
- It will help to move and blend the ingredients.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the mixing bowl and set to one side.
- Next put the butter and sugar into a mix bowl and cream them together with the electric whisk.
- Now zest the orange and then cut in half.
- Juice the orange with the zester of fork.
- Pour in the orange juice and zest to the wet ingredients and whisk again.
- Once the wet ingredients are combined together, add the wet ingredients to the dry ones.
- Form a large ball and use your hands to do so if you need to.
- If you find the mix is too dry, then add a little almond milk until the dough has stuck together.
- Using the extra brown rice flour, roll out the dough.
- Roll out the dough to about a half centimetre thickness.
- Use the cutter and make your biscuits.
- Put the cut biscuits onto the chopping board and place into the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile preheat the oven to 180°C or gas mark 4.
- After 30 minutes remove the biscuits from the fridge.
- Place on the baking tray and bake for around 12 – 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Finally place on a cooling rack and leave to cool.
Chocolate Orange Gingerbread Men were yummy biscuits and they tasted so good with a cup of tea. Or if you are feeling generous and you want to make them for a friend they make a great present too. We all enjoy eating them in this house and trust me when I say they don’t last long around here. We hope you like them as much as we did. However you decide to eat this dish, as always, please enjoy. Thank you. xxx
Googies Kitchen Life 