Benefits of Carob
Carob Powder
- Naturally low-fat
- Low in sodium
- Contains calcium but no oxalates
- High in fibre
- Gluten free
- Caffeine Free
- Good source of antioxidants
Carob powder is an excellent alternative to cocoa powder. Carob has many health benefits. Unlike cocoa powder, carob powder does not contain oxalates. Oxalates found in chocolate reduce your body’s ability to absorb calcium and increases your risk of developing kidney stones. As carob powder is caffeine-free it is an excellent substitute for the caffeine-sensitive.
Carob Cookies - a healthy treat with a chocolatey nutty taste
Pre heat oven 400f/200c gas mark 6
4 oz 120 g sunflower margarine
4 oz 120g honey (raw if possible)
1oz 30g carob powder (more can be added according to taste and consistency of mix)
4oz 120g whole meal self-raising flour (other flours can be substituted for gluten free)
2oz 60g of mixed sunflower and pumpkin seeds
Place the margarine and honey into a mixing bowl, and mix together until creamy.
Add sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, mix well.
Add the carob powder and flour. Kneed together to form a ball, add a little more flour if the mixture is to sticky.
Lightly flour the work surface, rollout the mixture until it is approximately 4mm thick and cut into shapes with pastry cutter
Grease a baking tray, place the cookies on the tray and bake in a pre-heated oven. Cook for approximately 10 – 15 minutes.
The cookies will be soft when they come out of the oven. Allow them to set before removing them from the baking tray.