Jung’s Weblog

This is for my student Karina who loves to bake…

RAW OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES by Renée Loux Underkoffler

2 cups whole oat groats
2 cups raisins
2/3 cup pitted soft dates
2 tablespoons maple syrup or raw honey
2 tablespoons cold-pressed coconut butter or organic extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
Pinch sun-dried sea salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Soak whole oat groats in 4 cups fresh water overnight (about 6-12 hours). Drain and rinse. Soak raisins in 2 1/2 cups fresh water for 15 minutes to soften. Drain the soak water and set aside.

In a food processor, chop oat groats, 1/2 cup of the raisins, dates, maple syrup or honey, coconut butter or olive oil, lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and sea salt thoroughly into a paste. It may be necessary to scrape the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula and continue to blend for a smooth consistency. Add a few tablespoons of the raisin soak water as needed to assist in blending smooth. By hand, mix in the remaining 1 1/2 cups raisins (and walnuts, if desired).

To press the cookies: Make approximately 48 balls (about 2 1/2 tablespoons of dough each). Place balls on a nonstick sheet on a dehydrator tray. Use the bottom of a drinking glass to gently , press the balls into Hat, uniform cookies. Wipe and wet the bottom of the glass between cookies to prevent sticking.

Dehydrate at 108°F for 12-24 hours or until fairly dry. (Climate, temperature, and humidity all affect dehydrating time.) Flip the cookies over to dry the underside and return to the dehydrator without the nonstick sheets for 1-2 hours. The cookies should still be moist inside. Serve fresh from the dehydrator.

Store in a resealable bag in a cool dry place, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer.

(I use a Excalibur dehydrator with ParaFlexx Non-stick Drying Sheet for these cookies. Excalibur dehydrator is much better than the conventional round stackable dehydrators, here is the comparison chart.)

Favorite toys used: