Healthy Pistachio and Macadamia Cookies Recipe

Do you like to bake cookies but have always wanted a healthier option? Here we recommend ways to incorporate pistachios and macadamias so that you’ll feel less guilty about eating cookies! These nuts provide a handful of nutrients and are good sources of antioxidants, amongst many other benefits. Read on to find out more.

Pistachios

When we think of pistachios, we think of them as just nuts, but they are in fact the seeds of a pistachio tree. They have been consumed as far back as 7000BC, but was commercialized only in the mid 19’s. An interesting fact is that pistachios was once food fit for only the royalty – the commoners could not eat them. Later, pistachios were widely popular amongst the travelers, for they have a long shelf life and contain a lot of nutritional value, making them a necessity when travelling.

Health benefits of pistachios

Pistachios contains vitamin B6 which is necessary for cognitive growth and the digestion of proteins. In fact, a serving of pistachios gives adults 37% of their recommended daily vitamin B6 consumption. Pistachios also have low calorie count; approximately 28 grams of pistachios contain only 159 calories, as compared to pecans which have a higher calorie count of 196. Hence, you may be rest assured that eating pistachios will not easily lead to weight gain. Pistachios are high in potassium, with 28 grams of pistachios containing more potassium than that of half a large banana. Pistachios also provide antioxidant properties, helping to reduce the risk of cancer and slowing down cell damage. They also contain two types of antioxidants that reduce the risk of developing cataract and macular degeneration (AMD). Pistachios may also promote the growth of good bacteria for gut health. Lastly, pistachios are high in protein compared with other nuts. They are the second-most protein rich nut, the first being almonds.

Now that we have seen the benefits of this calorie low yet protein rich nut, let’s try out a cookie recipe to make pistachios an irresistible part of our diet!

Pistachio cookies

This recipe is so simple and yet tasty, that you may want to make bigger portions because it will be finished up quickly!

What you need:

• ¼ cup of rolled oats
• 1 cup of shelled pistachios
• ¼ cup of honey
• ½ a cup of almond flour
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup of melted butter

Equipment:

• An oven, a food processor and baking sheets

Here’s a tip on how to remove pistachio shells: For shells that have too small an opening or gap, find an empty shell, slip it in-between the crack and give it a quick screw. Viola! You have successfully opened the shell. Other commendable mentions include using the tip of a pair of scissors, a small screwdriver or a pocketknife. Alternatively, you may crack them open using heavyweights such as a rolling pin or a frying pan. Be careful however, not to apply too much pressure as you don’t want the nuts to crack. Good luck!

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 177 degrees and lay the tray with baking paper.
2. Pulse the pistachios in the processor until they are broken into bits. Make sure there are no coarse bits.
3. Add in the oats, egg, honey, almond flour and coconut oil into the processor and pulse well.
4. Take the batter into your hands and shape it into round flat cookies. This will be the shape after baking.
5. Bake the cookies for 8 to 12 minutes until they turn golden. Start monitoring the cookies at 8 minutes to make sure that they are not burnt.
6. Leave the cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes after they are baked, as the hot baking paper can still transfer some heat to the cookies.

Notes:

• You can replace honey with maple syrup and the egg with a flax egg if you want animal-free ingredients.
• To store your baked cookies, store them in a sealed container or freeze them. If you want to freeze them, first put the cookies on a baking sheet in the freezer until they are completely frozen. Then, take them out and transfer them into sealed containers, to be frozen for up to three months.
• When you want to reheat the cookies, turn the oven temperature to 177 degrees, for five minutes or until it is thoroughly warmed.

Macadamias

Macadamias are well suited to make cookies because they have a creamy taste and are not overpowering, unlike other nuts which have a strong or distinct taste.

Health benefits of macadamias

Macadamias are low in carbohydrates and contain healthy fats that promote heart health and reduce the amount of “bad” cholesterol. People with diabetes can also eat them as macadamias do not rapidly increase blood sugar levels. Macadamias have antioxidant properties which prevent cell damage and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and heart illness. Macadamia nuts contain healthy fats known as monosaturated fats. In fact, these monosaturated fats make up 80% of the fat content. The benefit of this type of fats is that it may help to reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Lastly, macadamia nuts contain soluble fiber that sustains the good bacteria in the gut, enabling the gut to function well.

 Here’s an easy and addictive macadamia nut cookie recipe you could try.

White chocolate macadamia nut cookie

Servings: This recipe makes about 48 pieces of cookies although quantity differs according to your cookie size.

Time needed: Approximately 45 minutes

What you need:

• ½ a cup of white sugar
• ½ a teaspoon of almond extract
• 2 and a ½ cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of unevenly chopped macadamia nuts
• ¾ cup of compressed light brown sugar
• ½ a teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup of unevenly chopped white chocolate
• 1 cup of softened butter
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 2 eggs
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees.
2. Add brown sugar, white sugar and butter into a large bowl and mix them using a handheld whisk or an electric one. Beat the eggs, one by one and then add in vanilla and almond extract.
3. Next, add in salt, flour and baking soda and stir slowly into the wet mixture.
4. Finally, drop in the macadamia nuts and white chocolate.
5. Using a teaspoon, drop the batter onto the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies turn golden.

The final word

Alas, we have two easy and delicious cookie recipes. Treat yourself to these cookies once in a while, but do not solely eat these hoping that it becomes a panacea for your health problems. Always eat in moderation and consult a doctor for professional advice. We hope that you’ll enjoy our pistachio and macadamia nuts through these recipes!