A Wish and a Kiss Cookie; aka C's school project.

My young friend stayed over last night as she has done throughout most of her life while her mom helps to bring newborns into the world. We like to work on projects together, especially baking but lately we have branched out to jewelry making and sometimes if I am lucky, a little gardening :-)
Last nights's project was homework related as C entered the house with a giant poster. The poster is part of her school project for a Power Point presentation, I think.

C with poster for Wish and Kiss Cookie

It turns out that she selected to make a presentation about Vegan Cookies, without any influence from me! (except in a sort of indirect way in the fact that the only cookies we make together happen to be vegan!) C decided on her own that a good way to spread the word about healthy plant-based options was through her school work thereby reaching her fellow classmates. She realized there will be questions but she is prepared for this. Now C is not a vegan, but she is a mostly healthy eater, a dancer who knows how important it is to eat healthily to maintain her stamina, keep her skin clear and many other benefits. Here is the "Jingle" about the cookies from C's project:

A WISH AND A KISS JINGLE

Wanting to bring you all some holiday cheer,

with a wish and a kiss fro the Happy New Year.

They are made without butter but with lots of love,

and sealed with a special wish from above.

May all your holidays be merry and bright,

I hope you enjoy your vegan delight.

They are healthy, but sooo much more!!!

Definitely better then anything bought in a store.

Nutcracker

The even "nuttier" nutcracker

We used nuts gathered in the garden!

cookie dough on the baking sheet

thumbprinting

 C was a bit disappointed when I shared that Hershey's Kisses are not vegan :-( so we decided to use some jam or some vegan chocolate chips for our cookies. The cookie dough itself is all plant-based but not necessarily low-fat.  

adding the spreadable fruit

Here is the recipe for Vegan Wish & Kiss Cookies (aka thumbprint cookies), straight from C's project, this is not my recipe.

THE DELICIOUS COOKIE RECIPE:

2 cups finely chopped nuts (we used almonds and pecans from the garden)
1/2 cup nut butter (raw almond would be best)
1/2 cup flour
2 Tablespoons applesauce (we used mashed bananas, had no applesauce)
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

vegan chocolate kisses or jam (we used vegan chocolate chips)

mix everything together, form into dough-balls about 1" diameter and place on baking sheet with parchment paper or sil-pat. with moistened fingers, shape into flatter cookies and make an indent with your thumb. fill with chocolate kisses or jam and bake for 10 min. @ 350 degrees.

The finished product.

P.S. these cookies are so delicious, they're gone!!