When Matt + I made it to Trondheim this summer, we were about 2 weeks into our northern adventure and hadn’t had a day without rain yet. We were tired and cold and I think it was the only time we splurged on a camp site in all of Scandinavia. I remember standing under the hot water in the shower thinking I was never going to leave. The next day we got into the biggest fight in the middle of the city under the pouring rain. For so many reasons I don’t remember but mostly because nothing was really going as planned, I wanted things to be just perfect and we weren’t really sure where in the world we were going or why we were even there. I guess it was needed, there were things we just needed to get out there and it all felt a little lighter afterwards.
We went and sat in a little cafe to get out of the rain, we had coffee and hot chocolate and spiced hazelnut cookies and I think Matt ate all of the cinnamon buns. Later we went out for beer and burgers and we probably spent more than a week’s worth of budget that day but it felt good not to care. Plans are great and definitely necessary, but sometimes putting pressure on having the perfect holiday or the perfect moment actually stops you from enjoying it. We were there, trying to sound out the norwegian menu, guessing about what we had just ordered, drinking over priced beer in our k-way pants and hiking boots. The good to our bad and very ugly.
Those little hazelnut cookies from that day seemed like a fitting treat to make to remind myself that you can’t do it all and it can’t always be right. And as someone who often likes things to be just so, it can be easy to get caught up in all of that this time of year. So don’t let it build up. Sometimes it’s best not to care and just simply enjoy the moments that present themselves with the people around you. Take time to enjoy the little things, like a good hot shower and a plate of cookies. Comfort + joy x
MAPLE, CARDAMOM + VANILLA HAZELNUT MACAROONS
I used ground chia seeds here to help hold the macaroons together. You can find pre-ground chia seeds at most health food stores or well stocked supermarkets. Grinding chia seeds in a spice mill or coffee grinder should work too. I haven’t tried using ground flax seeds yet but I would imagine an equal amount would do the trick too.
Happy days to you and yours!
Vegan + Gluten Free. Makes 10-12 large macaroons or 20-24 bite size ones.
Ingredients
2 cups blanched hazelnuts
3/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon flaky sea salt
2 tablespoons ground chia seeds
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 teaspoon natural vanilla extract
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon warm water
Instructions
Place hazelnuts and coconut in a food processor and blend until finely ground and uniform.
Add cardamom, baking powder, sea salt and ground chia seeds and pulse to combined. Add melted coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla and water and mix until the dough comes together. Tip mixture into a bowl and let chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 F / 175 C and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment
Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, scoop out portions of the dough and place on the baking sheet. Keep the scoop clean so the dough doesn’t stick. I used an ice cream scoop and got 12 macaroons. A tablespoon size spoon or scoop should yield at least double.
Bake cookies in the oven until golden brown and firm, 15 – 20 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!
Let me in on your kitchen creations – tag your photos #happyheartedkitchen and share the love!
23 Comments
Warm Vanilla Sugar
December 16, 2015 at 5:40 pmI am so with you – enjoying the little things and letting loose can feel so unbelievably good! I could definitely go for a sweet treat like this right now :)
Jodi Kay
December 17, 2015 at 1:11 pmThank you Katrina! Hope you can let loose a little during the holidays :) x
Amanda Paa
December 16, 2015 at 8:35 pmembracing the moment as it is can present the best of times. sounds like that’s exactly what happened while taking in Scandinavia. and just think – these delicious macaroons wouldn’t have come about! they do look like snowballs, i kind of love that name for them. happy holidays! xo
Jodi Kay
December 17, 2015 at 1:13 pmThank you, Amanda! I definitely dreamed about these little balls all summer long! Hoping for a little snow and some simple moments during the holidays – happy days to you and yours x
Sophie | The Green Life
December 17, 2015 at 4:08 am“Putting pressure on having the perfect moment actually stops you from enjoying it.” I love this Jodi. So so true. Thank you for these wise words. And for these beautiful macaroons. Happy Holidays xo
Jodi Kay
December 18, 2015 at 5:57 pmThank you, Sophie! Happy holidays to you and yours xx
Anna M
December 17, 2015 at 4:21 amCan’t wait to try my hand at making some dirty snowballs!!! Jokes aside, this is a beautiful post, Jodes; love the message, love the photos, love these darn cookies! And love YOU.
Jodi Kay
December 18, 2015 at 5:57 pmLove you too, Anna – my trusty taste tester x
Sus Davy
December 17, 2015 at 9:50 amThis post hit home Jodi, trying to hard to create that perfect moment always seems to make it worse (in my case anyhow) These macaroons are like little hearts in my eyes! Just perfect. Have a fantastic festive season, sending you lots of love from across the pond. Xxx
Jodi Kay
December 19, 2015 at 12:59 pmThank you, Sus! I think that applies to so much, especially us crazy folk you make food and take pictures of it, we can sometimes want things to be just perfect and it works against us. Hope you are having a good winter so far, have Morzine on my mind lately and thinking of you. Big hugs xxx
Shelley Ludman
December 17, 2015 at 1:52 pmDitto what Anna said…and I totally hear you on the sentiments right now. We’re the same in that we try to do it all, and sometimes, sometimes, we need to take a step back. Pretty sure the upcoming few weeks is perfect for that. Big hugggs lady, xxx
Jodi Kay
December 19, 2015 at 1:00 pmOh my goodness – yes, Shelley! Enjoy these next weeks of adventure! The good, the bad and the unexpected! Can’t wait to hear all about it xx
Jessie Snyder | Faring Well
December 17, 2015 at 3:38 pmI kept reading your post nodding my head – yep yep yep, totally been there and know what your talking about, and totally agree with every sentiment. Sometimes its good to just let it out, get out your frustrations, drop all the expectations, and just be. So glad you two got to do that and ended up in that little cafe. These cookies sound so christmassy and wonderful Jodi! Aren’t names the hardest? I think you did a fab job here. Definitely making these to share with family this season! Thanks for another unique and yummy wholesome cookie to try. I daresay they are almost healthy enough for breakfast?! ;) xo
Jodi Kay
December 19, 2015 at 1:03 pmBreakfast? Of course! Cookies for breakfast is my favorite :) Hoping you are having an awesome, stress-free, movie filled, chocolate covered holiday season so far, Jessie! Thanks for the kind words x
Gena Hamshaw
December 18, 2015 at 2:35 pmIsn’t it remarkable how just a small morsel of food can be so effective in making things come into focus when life is overwhelming? These cookies are just beautiful, Jodi. Can’t wait to try ’em.
Jodi Kay
December 19, 2015 at 1:04 pmThank you, Gena! Food can definetly change your perspective on things! Happy Holidays to you + yours x
Tessa | Salted Plains
December 18, 2015 at 6:42 pmThis is such a lovely post. And so many things you said resonated with me. I can hardly wait to try these macaroons – the flavor and spices here sound fantastic!
Jodi Kay
December 19, 2015 at 1:04 pmOh I’m so glad, Tessa! Thank you for the kind words x
genevieve @ gratitude and gree
December 19, 2015 at 10:41 amI am much more of a planner than my boyfriend is and we’ve definitely butt heads over this while traveling! I think I put too much pressure on myself to have the “perfect” holiday, especially if I am devoting a set amount of time to each place and just want to make the most of it. I’ve learned to be a little more “go with the flow” and really appreciate the moments in between! These macaroons sound so yummy and would be such a nice gift to make for my friends! <3
Jodi Kay
December 23, 2015 at 7:44 pmThank you Gen! Seems like you’ve been doing a little bit of traveling lately! Hope you are enjoying it and sending lots of happiness and cheer your way :) xx
Sarah | Well and Full
December 22, 2015 at 3:19 amI’m the same way about planning…. I always have this image of how things “should” go in my head, and when they don’t go that way I have a hard time letting go to that image. But sometimes it’s very cathartic to just get things all out in the open, even if it’s uncomfortable while it’s happening!! But anyways, these macaroons look amazing lady, and the texture looks unbelieveable!! Pinning to make later!! (PS Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!)
Jodi Kay
December 23, 2015 at 7:46 pmThanks, Sarah! that image of how things ‘should’ is often in my head too, it can be your best friend and your worst enemy! Hoping you are enjoying the holidays and finding a bit of time to relax, merry everything and happy always to you + yours xx
AmeliaRoseL
December 22, 2015 at 11:19 amWhat a dreamy flavour combination!
Nourishing Amelia | Food, Health and Lifestyle Blogger