Cinnamon Walnut Cookies

Christmas time is a wonderful time to visit with family and friends. But it can also mean a lot of extra unhealthy food choices and unwanted weight gain. Here is a recipe that is not only easy, it’s a healthier choice than some traditional cookies. The dates make a great sweetener and you can store any extras in the freezer for the next use.

Cinnamon Walnut Cookies
1 c. walnut halves
5 dates, pitted and chopped
1 tsp . extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. organic vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
pinch sea salt (I use Himalayan pink salt)

Grind dates and nuts in food processor. Add rest of ingredients and pulse until mixture becomes a ball. Remove the ball from the processer and make break apart some of the dough to form pieces into small balls. Slightly flatten the balls on an non-stick cookie sheet but not entirely flat. Bake  at 350 degrees for about 6-8 minutes.

Optional: Grind extra walnuts in a grinder until very finely chopped. Sprinkle over the cookies.