Grain-Free Chocolate Orange Cookies

1

Zest one orange to yield two teaspoons of zest, and set aside. Use a julienne peeler or a regular peeler to peel the other two oranges, then set them aside.

2

Add the butter, egg, ¼ cup maple syrup, zest, and vanilla extract to a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Or, add the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and use a hand mixer. Mix until well combined, about two minutes.

3

Add the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder and sea salt and whisk to combine.

4

Drop the dough onto a large piece of parchment paper and roll it into a log about 1.5 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least one hour.

5

Meanwhile, add the remaining maple syrup and ½ cup of water to a small pot. Bring to a boil and add the julienned orange. Lower to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Remove the peel pieces from the syrup and spread them out on a piece of parchment paper to cool and get sticky.

6

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the cookie dough from the fridge when ready to bake, then slice it into ½-inch to 1-inch-thick slices. Thinner cookies will result in crispier cookies, which hold up better in cookie boxes/tins. Thicker cookies will be softer but more fragile in a cookie box/tin. Choose your preferred thickness!

7

Place the cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.

8

Next, add the chocolate and remaining butter to a double boiler and melt until smooth, whisking occasionally. Alternatively, if you do not have a double boiler, set a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water and add the chocolate and butter. Drizzle the melted chocolate on the cooled cookies, or, if you made thinner, crispier cookies, dip them in the chocolate.

9

Chop the cooled julienned peel and sprinkle it on the chocolate-dipped cookies. Allow to set before placing in your cookie box/tin. Enjoy!

10

Substitutions: Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free butter alternative— results may vary. Omit the candied orange or use pre-made to skip making it yourself and save time. You can also use candied ginger or other dried fruit, such as cranberries.