Vegan Thumbprint Cookies

This recipe for thumbprint cookies comes from the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, the legendary Buddhist monastery in California. And I’ll say this, those monks make some mean cookies. Actually, since they are vegan, I guess they’d be more properly classified as kind. All I know is that they are as wholesome and healthy as they are delicious, a bit of a Buddhist miracle. Yum.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup unbleached flour
2 cups almonds, ground
4 cups baby rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup maple syrup
1 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/2 cup jam, thinned with water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, almonds, oats, and salt.

2. In another bowl, mix together the syrup and oil. Add to the dry ingredients using your hands to mix well. Let dough stand for 15 minutes before using.

3. Roll dough into 3/4-inch balls. Place close together on baking sheets. Make a little dent in the top of each ball and fill them with 1/2 teaspoon (or less) of the jam. Bake for 15 minutes or until slightly brown. Do not over bake. Cool on a wire rack.

Variation: You can replace 1/4 cup of the oil with 1/2 cup of peanut butter.

Read more: All recipes, Desserts, Food, Vegan, Vegetarian, cookies, vegan

Adapted from Tassajara Cookbook by Karla Olivera (Gibbs Smith, 2007)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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J.L. A.

8:09AM PDT on Mar 23, 2012

yum

send a green star

Michele W.

7:45AM PST on Feb 27, 2012

Thank you

Krista R.

9:19AM PST on Dec 10, 2011

I didn't know oats have babies, but I guess it makes sense. :o)

Elena A.

1:55AM PDT on Jun 10, 2011

It looks great!

Charlene S.

11:19AM PDT on Jun 4, 2011

I've actually made these cookies with a very similar recipe. They are delicious!

Kate R.

5:09PM PDT on Jun 1, 2011

Mmmm sounds good

Holly H.

10:45AM PDT on Jun 1, 2011

I cannot wait to try this!

May H.

12:22PM PDT on May 27, 2011

myra d.

7:18AM PDT on May 27, 2011

I don't know what baby oats are either and 2 cups of ground almonds is a very expensive test so though it sounds delish, I'm gonna pass on trying this one out.

7:17AM PDT on May 27, 2011

It sounds delish but I think I'm going to pass. That's a lot of ground almonds. Very, very, expensive.