There’s no better smell to fill a kitchen than the scent of your first batch of fall cookies baking in the oven. Our recipe for Pumpkin Spice White Chocolate Chip Cookies are made with wholesome ingredients. With Lifeway Kefir, white chocolate chips, whole grain rolled oats, pumpkin spice, and other natural ingredients, these cookies are everything you want in a cookie and more.
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school-age years. In addition, kefir made from whole-fat milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is also a great source of all these nutrients, just in a different format for all the cheese lovers out there.
Prebiotics + Probiotics = A Healthier You
Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates naturally found in a variety of fiber-rich plant foods. Your body actually can’t digest prebiotic fiber, but it’s what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive systems.
Prep Time: 25 mins Servings: 12-24Ingredients
- Dry ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 2 tsp. pumpkin spice mix
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- Wet ingredients:
- 5 large Medjool dates, pitted
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup raw cashew butter
- 1/2 cup pumpkin purée (plain canned pumpkin)
- 1 tbsp. pure maple syrup or your favorite sweetener
- 1/2 cup Vanilla Lowfat Kefir
- Mix-ins:
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the rolled oats, oat flour, almond flour, baking powder, coconut sugar or brown sugar, pumpkin spice mix, and salt. Toss the mixture until thoroughly combined; set aside.
- In a food processor, add the pitted Medjool dates, vanilla extract, raw cashew butter, pumpkin purée, and maple syrup (or your favorite sweetener).
- Next, add the Lifeway Vanilla kefir and the cashew butter mixture in step 2 to the dry ingredients already mixed up in the bowl. Mix with a large spoon to combine well; it should be very thick.
- Add the mix-ins to make sure they are fully incorporated, then divvy out 2 tbsp. worth of the dough into cookie shapes, and spread out on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30, or until a knife/toothpick comes out completely clean. Enjoy!
