Wholesome fruit and nut cookies

These easy-to-make cookies are the perfect snack – why not treat yourself?

These delicious fruit and nut cookies from nutritionist Jacqueline Birtwisle will store in an airtight container for up to a week. The recipe makes 24 but if you just want 12 cookies, then freeze half the mixture after step 4.

Ingredients

125g wholemeal or spelt flour
150g jumbo porridge oats
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
½ tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
100g light brown sugar
4 tbsp maple syrup
1 large carrot, coarsely grated
100ml olive oil
100g chopped dried fruit – e.g. raisins, apricots, prunes, dates, mango
100g chopped nuts or seeds

How to make the cookies

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C or gas mark 4.

2. Put the flour, oats, bicarbonate and salt into a large mixing bowl.

3. Mix well with a wooden spoon to ensure that the ingredients are evenly distributed.

4. Add the remaining ingredients and mix.

5. Using a tablespoon, scoop the mixture into rounds on an oiled baking tray. You should be able to fit 12 on a large baking tray.

6. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, or until they are just starting to set for a chewy cookie, or flip them over and return to the oven for a further three minutes to crisp underneath.