Coconut-coated Gluten-free Almond Cookies

Serves 12 | Prep time: 10 mins | Cooking time: 15 mins

INGREDIENTS

• 12 almonds
• 250g/8.8oz (2 1/4 cup) almond meal
• 50g/1.8oz (1/4 cup) sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Zest of one orange
• Juice of 1/2 an orange
• 1 1/2 Tbsp date syrup (can sub with maple or rice syrup)
• some desiccated coconut for coating

METHOD

1. Place the almonds in a bowl and pour boiling water over the top. Leave for a couple of minutes then peel off outer skin. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 180C/355F.
3. In another bowl, add the almond meal, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Mix well.
4. Then add the orange zest and juice, and the date syrup. Combine well and use hands to form the dough. It should be slightly sticky.
5. Using your hands, form 12 balls with the dough. Add some desiccated coconut in a dish and coat each ball with the coconut.
6. Place the coated cookie balls on a baking tray and press an almond into the center of each.
7. Bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.