Quinoa Tahini Cookies

Headache Helper's Note:

These cookies resemble oatmeal cookies, but they are crispier and have a unique taste. They don't contain any wheat, gluten, common headache triggers, milk or eggs. They're a nice treat for someone on a restrictive diet like mine, but I think they'll appeal to others too. (It didn't take long for my husband to ask for a second one, and he can eat anything.) I've only made this recipe at high altitude (5200 feet), so you'll have to test my low altitude suggestions.

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 30 cookies

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
• 1/2 cup tahini (or peanut butter, if your diet allows)
• 1 1/4 cups rice flour (reduce to 1 cup if not high altitude)
• 7/8 cup quinoa (like delicate oatmeal, reduce to 3/4 C if not high altitude)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine first four ingredients; mix until creamy.
3. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well.
4. Spoon rounded teaspoonfuls of batter onto cookie sheets.
5. Bake for 10 - 14 minutes, or until they start to turn golden brown.

Reviews

[happycook23]

My husband and our girls made 2 versions of this cookie for our Father's Day barbecue yesterday-this recipe (not high altitude version), and Quinoa Cookies - Gluten Free! from this site which is the same recipe with the addition of cocoa and chocolate chips. Because our girls are GF/CF and we try to avoid hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated fats, we used an all-natural PB and substituted coconut oil for the margarine. We made this version first and though it tasted very good, it was crumbly and difficult to work with when making the cookies, and when the cookies baked, they did not spread at all, rather they remained dense little cookie balls. Not exactly bad, just not the ideal texture IMO. Accordingly, for the second batch, we added 2 eggs and it made a HUGE difference in the ease of making the cookies and in the appearance and texture of the finished cookie (moist, chewy, etc.) Both versions of the cookie were a big hit with everyone at the barbecue, and a few asked for the recipe despite not being on restrictive diets themselves. The chocolaty version was like a chewy choc. chip cookie with a hint of nuttiness. The non-choc version had a great rich peanut buttery flavor. Everyone preferred the texture with the eggs added and unless you cannot have eggs, I would strongly recommend adding 2 eggs to the recipe. Also, I reiterate that you need to use quinoa FLAKES for this cookie rather than whole-grain quinoa. A great recipe that I know we will enjoy over and over again experimenting with different nut/seed butters and additions like choc. chips, nuts, and dried fruits. Thanks!

[Lalaloula]

These cookies are AMAZING!!!! They are sooo yummy with a perfect crunchy soft texture. Mmm, addictive! :)
The quinoa gives them such a crunchy twist and yummy nutty flavour. What a cool idea to add that to a cookie recipe! I used black quinoa and cooked one third of it before adding it to the dough. I really liked having only a few crunchy quinoa pieces from the raw quinoa. I think quinoa flakes would also be nice, but I really enjoyed this version a lot, so I doubt Im going to try another one.
I reduced both sugar and honey by half and still the cookies are very sweet for my taste, but that might also be due to using a sweetened cashew butter in place of the tahini.
My cookies needed 18 minutes baking time and spread a lot. I had no trouble with the dough being crumbly, it was more like muffin batter in fact.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this amazing recipe wit us, Headache helper! Ill make it often again for sure trying different add ins, nut butters and quinoas.
Made and reviewed for the Loving from the oven event in the photo forum June 2011.

[laugh2survive]

These were great! I admit, I changed a few things because of what I had in the house, but the recipe is right on. What I did different: I used whole grain spelt flour instead of rice flour(no gluten problems here), sunflower seed butter instead of tahini (we do have other allergies) I nearly doubled the vanilla, used olive oil instead of butter and didn't use honey, just 1/2 cup UNpacked brown sugar, and I think I could do less next time. Also, I ran out quinoa (sad) so I made up for what was missing with oatmeal - I'll try again when I buy more quinoa. Still, these were excellent! I loved them, the kids loved and DH told me he was disappointed when he saw them (another of my healthy "treats"), but quickly changed his mind when he tasted them - thinks they're one of the best cookies ever! So thanks for a great recipe! Can't wait to try it again.