Chewy Chocolate Orange Cookies

I love cookies! Come on...who doesn't like cookies? They are sweet, delicious, chewy, crumbly and handheld. This is another super duper easy to make raw food recipe that requires little time and can be recreated in moments with no advanced technique required--and it is delicious. I do use agave in this recipe, but if there another liquid sweetener that you prefer such as coconut nectar, yacon or maple syrup, feel free to substitute instead. Another great swap is to use a 1/2 cup of pitted and soaked dates in place of a liquid sweetener. There is a little coconut sugar in these cookies additionally. Feel free to omit if you like, but these are cookies, so a little decadence is essential.

Chewy Chocolate Orange Cookies

Makes 1 dozen large or 2 dozen medium cookies

2 cups cashews

3/4 cup cacao powder

1/2 cup shredded coconut

 1/2 cup agave nectar

1/2 cup coconut sugar crystals

2 T orange juice

1/2 T vanilla (powder, bean, extract)

 2 t pink Himalayan salt

2 pinches orange zest

Add all ingredients to a food processor and process for about a minute until you have a uniform mixture. Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form into cookies and place on a lined dehydrator tray. Dehydrate for 2 hours at 115 degrees. For a different twist on this treat form into small balls, transfer to freezer to set and then dunk in your favorite ganache/chocolate sauce.

And remember--if you're supposed to be taking photos to share with people, make sure you remember before eating half the cookies...I told you they were delicious!