Soft, chewy + delicious…these Honey Cardamom Oatmeal Raisin cookies are the real deal! No one will ever know they are gluten-free! + No refined sugar or eggs!! The hint of cardamom + some nutmeg gives these cookies a hint of something special. You could even call these cookies healthy!;).

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Growing up I remember making oatmeal raisin cookies with my parents from the recipe on this inside of the oatmeal lid:). Lots of butter, brown sugar and made these cookies delicious! I wanted to give this childhood favorite a healthy makeover! Well…let me tell you….with a little trial and error + the help of Jesus…I believe I have done it! I think you are going to love these health-“ier” Honey Cardomom Oatmeal Raisin Cookies!

The first go-round with these cookies yielded a cookie that was more in the shape of a no-bake cookie. My husband said they were good but he liked more of a flat cookie. I liked the shape + texture they were but thought they needed a little more flavor.

The next go-round I added more cinnamon to give more flavor; otherwise, I didn’t change the recipe much. But I must have added more liquid because when I checked on them in the oven they were beautifully flat-“er” cookies! Like a normal cookie! I was worried something was wrong with them but low and behold they were great! I truly believe this was a divine intervention!! Thank you, Jesus!!

Even though these cookies were a hit I still felt like they needed a little something special + I wanted to make sure I was going to get the same results again! And sure enough, I did!!

The cookies were a little more “puffy” this time but still looked and tasted like a normal oatmeal-raisin cookie!! I also added a bit of freshly ground cardamom + nutmeg to the dough which gives them that hint of something special I was looking for! I almost think I could have even added a bit more but cardamom can sometimes be overpowering…so proceed with caution;).

The moisture content of these cookies really affects how they turn out so you want to make sure you pack the blanched almond flour and follow the ingredient instructions. The moisture in the air could also play a role. Your cookies will still taste great but the cookies may not flatten out as much in the oven if your dough is on the dry side. If your dough seems really dry you can try adding a little bit of water…just be very careful here…I haven’t tested to see how moist is too moist!!

It’s amazing to me how Jesus cares about the little things…like how my cookies turn out:). I wasn’t even trying to get the cookies to be flatter…I was just following my original recipe and they turned out even better than I could have done on my own! He is amazing!!

Let’s unpack some of the healthy beneficial ingredients in these oatmeal raisin cookies!

Sprouted Oats

I call for sprouted oats in this recipe. You certainly can use regular/gluten-free oats; however, sprouting the oats makes them easier to digest, by destroying/diminishing gut-irritating anti-nutrients and helping you to better absorb the great nutrients from the oats! Read this article to learn more. Oats are rich in fiber, magnesium, zinc + more! Fiber is not only great for helping your body “detox” but the fiber in oats is considered a prebiotic helping to feed your gut flora!

Cereal fibers, as found in wheat bran and oat bran, are considered more effective than fiber from fruits and vegetables. The breakdown and fermentation of beta-glucan oat fiber has also been reported to increase the diversity of gut microbiota [8]. This may in turn improve certain digestive issues such as diarrhea, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. –Harvard T.H. Chan School of Pulic Health

Almond Flour

I should really be making my own almond flour by soaking and dehydrated my nuts to remove anti-nutrients. See the above article. I can’t be perfect all the time and definitely don’t claim to be;). If you do make your own and use whole almonds, not blanched, this recipe will likely have different results, but may still work. But making a goal to make my own almond flour in the future! Almond flour contains protein, fiber, the antioxidant vitamin E, magnesium + more! Magnesium helps to improve blood sugar control! An added perc for eating cookies these Honey Oatmeal Raisin Cardomom cookies:).

Honey

Honey is amazing! It contains antioxidants (like vitamin C) + is a natural anti-bacterial and antifungal and used as a natural anti-septic! Honey also contains some vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium and can even contain natural probiotics! It also may help with memory! I use honey to wash my face in the morning. It may sound like it would be a sticky mess but it feels like silk when it goes on! It also holds moisture well helping to moisturize your skin. We do heat the honey up in this recipe which may diminish/destroy some of these nutrients…raw, unfiltered, unheated honey is best!

Flax Seeds

More omega-3’s please! 1 tbsp of flaxseeds contains 1,597 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3’s may help to reduce cardiovascular disease, help lower blood pressure, help reduce inflammation, help prevent cancer + more! One tablespoon of flaxseed also provides a good amount of protein, fiber, + vitamins and minerals, including magnesium!!

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is good for so many things! I use it not just for cooking for also as a skin moisturizer + oil pulling! Coconut oil contains healthy saturated fats that actually help you to burn fat + provide your brain and body with quick energy!! It also helps to raise your good HDL cholesterol! Studies have shown that the populations that have consumed coconut oil have excellent health and reduced heart disease. Organic, virgin coconut oil is best!

Raisins

Raisins do contain a lot of sugar and calories (1/2 cup contains 47 grams of sugar and 217 calories) so they definitely should be eaten in moderation but they do contain some great nutrients! One-half cup will also give you 3.3 grams of fiber, 1.3 milligrams of iron, 45 milligrams of calcium + antioxidants. There was even a study showing how raisins contain antimicrobial compounds to help promote oral health!

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has been shown to have antioxidant, antidiabetic, + antibacterial properties. It also may help reduce inflammation, improve your memory, increase attention, and enhance cognitive processing. It even has been shown to help with blood sugar! These cookies keep getting healthier and healthier!

Nutmeg

Nutmeg contains various compounds that help to boost your mood, contains anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve pain + lower blood pressure. Some research suggests that it may help to slow cognitive decline in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease + promote the recovery of brain tissue following a stroke. Nutmeg also has been shown to have calming effect and help with sleep!

According to Ayurveda, you should add a pinch of nutmeg to a glass of warm milk and have it before sleeping. -NDTV Food

Cardamom

A Harvard article said it best:

A relative of ginger and turmeric, cardamom has shown antibacterial properties and antioxidant properties that help protect brain cells from free radical damage. A study published several years ago in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics found that consuming just ½ teaspoon a day for three months along with a healthy diet helps normalize blood pressure and lower risk for stroke by relaxing the arteries and the muscles of the heart. -Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.

Vanilla

I had no idea that vanilla could do much! Vanilla has antibacterial and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties…vanilla has been used for centuries to soothe inflammation throughout the body. It also may help with acne due to its anti-bacterial properties! Vanilla even has been used as a folk remedy to reduce fevers! It may also help in reducing anxiety and depression. Make sure to purchase pure, organic if possible, vanilla. Not the imitation stuff!

Sea Salt

Celtic sea salt is a fabulous source of minerals (92 trace minerals!), including Iodine, which the body doesn’t produce on its own but is essential for hormone regulation! Sea salt is not only a good source of iodine, but it has lots of trace essential minerals, including magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc + potassium. Celtic sea salt has less sodium + more calcium + magnesium than even Himalayan sea salt. Magnesium is better absorbed through the skin and is the perfect addition to your bath for relaxation + relieving inflammation!

Baking Soda

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) causes the dough to rise in baked goods by producing carbon dioxide. It is naturally alkaline. Therefore, it may help to treat heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid. Sodium bicarbonate is the main ingredient in most over the counter antacid supplements. It also has so many great household uses including…deodorizing, cleaning, and even contains antibacterial + antimicrobial properties to help clean your mouth!

I hope you enjoy this recipe!! Would love your feedback in the comments in you to give it a try!

Much Love, Alicia

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? -Matthew 25-27

If you like these oatmeal raisin cookies you may also want to check out my Maple Cinnamon Zucchini Bread.

References:

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/vegetarianism-and-plant-foods/living-with-phytic-acid/

https://www.sleepingbearfarms.com/raw-honey-posts/heating-honey-pros-cons/

https://carlislehoney.com/honey-benefits/raw-honey-vs-liquid-honey/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-honey

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/health-benefits-of-honey.html

https://www.annmariegianni.com/honey-the-perfect-moisturizing-deep-cleansing-natural-skin-beautifier/?cn-reloaded=1

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/sprouted-grains-nutritious-regular-whole-grains-2017110612692

https://extension.psu.edu/sprouting-the-truth-about-sprouted-grains

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/oats/

https://eatrightpa.org/members/blog/4-foods-already-eat-promote-gut-health/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/almond-flour#section2

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-flaxseeds#section3

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17290-omega-3-fatty-acids

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/coconut-oil/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil#section9

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/are-raisins-good-for-you#how-to-eat-raisins

https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/139/9/1818S/4670552

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/spice-up-your-holidays-with-brain-healthy-seasonings-2016120710734

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/cinnamon-and-benefits-for-diabetes

https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/7-incredible-nutmeg-benefits-from-inducing-sleep-to-relieving-pain-1464121

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/vanilla.html

https://draxe.com/nutrition/vanilla-extract/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/baking-soda-benefits-uses#section1

https://www.compellingtruth.org/does-God-care.html

https://www.organicfacts.net/celtic-sea-salt.html