Raw cacao is an amazing ingredient to bake with, especially for women with endometriosis, as it’s rich in magnesium and iron. Precisely what we need to help fight inflammation and pain! A great excuse to get baking with it. It’s also rich in antioxidants, helps to lower insulin resistance and contains other minerals including phosphorus, copper, zinc, calcium and manganese.

The combination of the sweet dried apricots and crunchy pecans make these cookies quite addictive, especially while they’re still warm… Dried apricots are also a source of (non-heme) iron and soluble fibre, but are high in sugar, so should ideally be a treat. The rice malt syrup is fructose free so this helps to keep the sugar content down and therefore a great alternative to adding maple or honey when making healthier treats or snacks. These are great for after a workout too 😉

I’d say that mid-week after work baking is the new Sunday for baking. Sometimes I come in from work and just need something that tastes like chocolate 😉 As I don’t currently own an oven (I have a typical German flat with a small built-in kitchen), I don’t bake very much. An oven is such a luxury here.

I tend to make raw treats in the food processor or alternatively heated up in the pan, just like this recipe. I’ve used just 1/4 cup of raw cacao in this recipe but feel free to add more! It’s an expensive ingredient so I’ve added the minimum for taste.

Kate xx

Recipe

Makes 7 cookie balls

Less than 10 minutes

What you’ll need: a medium-sized pan, a spoon, a measuring cup and a small knife.

Two heaped dessert spoons of coconut oil

1 cup oats (gluten free)

1/4 cup raw cacao

1/4 cup chopped almonds

A handful of pecans, chopped

1/3 cup rice malt syrup

7 dried apricots

Method

1. Melt the coconut oil and rice malt syrup in the pan on a medium heat for a minute.
2. Add the raw cacao and stir well until the liquid is runny.
3. Add the oats, and coat them well in the mixture. Keep stirring so that it doesn’t stick to the pan (about 8 minutes depending on your hob).
4. While stirring, add the chopped apricots and pecans to the mixture, and stir them through.
5. Once the mixture has softened, take off the heat and transfer the mixture to a plate. Allow it to cool a little for a minute.
6. Roll the mixture into 7 balls and leave aside to set.
7. Enjoy them.