Superfoods #2: Coconut Sugar

How lucky am I? A couple of days back, Justin from Cheap Super Foods Australia, contacted me, asking me to try some wonderful up and coming raw, organic ingredients from their huge range. As if I could turn down a huge opportunity like that! I know many bloggers, especially Vegan, focusing on all these new foods, so I knew I had plenty of inspiration to start making recipes.

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But what are superfoods? Why is using them considered ‘super’ but using caster sugar, isn’t? We are not being ingredient-ist here, but the term ‘superfoods’ means that particular ingredient has been classified as Food with high nutrient and phytochemical content that may confer health benefits. It has few negative properties if any, considering it is highly unprocessed (natural), does not contain contaminants, saturated fats, artificial ingredients or food additives.” – Wikipedia

When I say ‘phytochemicals’, I mean naturally occurring beneficial chemical compounds in plants, such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and polyphenol. I used this think anything ‘organic’ equated in some way, to marijuana and hippie food, tasting like dirt despite any ‘benefits.’ Since I started food blogging, I have learnt a heck of a lot about all of it, and am glad to learn that is not the case! 🙂

The wonderful folks from Cheap Super Foods sent me three different 250g samples:

  1. Cacao Powder
  2. Coconut Sugar
  3. Chia Seeds

Let’s begin making raw, organic, totally delicious desserts shall we?

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Coconut Sugar.

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I see it basically as being heathy sugar undercover as brown sugar. Because, seriously, the look super similar. Who would know right? Sneak a little bit in there, a little bit here and BAM. Healthified the nation 🙂

IMG_8619Ok, so maybe it is not that similar. While brown sugar is dense and can clump in your fingers, this sugar is light and sprinkly, almost like brown fairy dust.

Hot damn, though it smells like heaven. That scent is uber rich, and mingles coconut with a heady sense of the earth. I am not kidding, I spent 5 minutes just smelling the inside of my packet before I used the sugar.

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And then when the cookies were baking in the oven, I think my legs went to jelly, our kitchen smelt so good 🙂

Anyhow, what makes coconut sugar different to any other sweetener? It is all-nat-ur-ral of course!

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As much as it pains me to say this, caster-white-brown-dark-brown-stevia – you are all processed OR artificial sugars! When we talk organic, when we talk Superfoods, we talk non-processed substances, of which coconut sugar is a prime example 🙂

Interchangeable really with palm sugar, it is basically harvested by cutting the sap of flower buds from the coconut palm, as because of coconut palm’s abundance in the South-Eastern Asian regions, they are officially the largest producers of this product, having used it for centuries as a sweetener. How cool is that!?

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Ok, so maybe it is all natural and organic, hooray, what next? Seriously sugar is sugar non?

NON! You will not believe me but you should when I saw this sugar has an extremely Low GI! Only 35 according to my source – do you need me to tell you how high the GI is of other sugars? No, didn’t think so, I think you can guess 😉 – This low GI feature is because coconut sugar contains inulin, a fibre slowing down glucose absorption!
Furthermore, it is one of the most sustainable sugars (as said on the packet) and is actually, NUTRITIOUS! Like vegetables and stuff….

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Ok… I exaggerate, not nutritious to that extent 😉 but it does contain antioxidants and heavy dose of minerals such as calcium and potassium – so if you consume this, you do admittedly get the same calories as normal sugar, BUT they are not empty and devoid of any positives (besides taste of course!) 🙂

Have I convinced you to try coconut sugar yet? No, yes, maybe? 😛

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Well, if I haven’t, perhaps these cookies may do the trick. They are the softest, chewiest, most perfect white chocolate and macadamia cashew (force of habit, my apologies!) coconut cookies in the history of forever. I am just saying 🙂
They are heaven, addiction sitting in my palm (PUN!) and smell… smell like coconut bliss! And do not be alarmed by the specks in the cookies, that is the coconut sugar bringing its unique touch 🙂

Enjoy!

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Printable Recipe😀

White Chocolate Cashew Coconut Cookies – dat alliteration…
Adapted from: Exclusively Food

Ingredients:

  • 130g butter, softened
  • 2 tsp vanilla essence
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar – use more caster sugar and adjust coconut sugar amount depending on preference
  • 1/4 cup caster sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 60g self raising flour (SRF)
  • 140g plain flour
  • 1/4 cup desiccated coconut
  • 1 cup white chocolate, chips or roughly chopped block (I like the chunks!)
  • 3/4 cup cashews or macadamias if you are a traditionalist, chopped roughly
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Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 150 degrees C (fan forced) or 170 degrees C (regular). Line two baking trays with baking paper
  2. Beat butter and both sugars together until pale and creamy in a large bowl (3 minutes). Scrape down the sides
  3. Add in egg and vanilla and continue to beat until combined (1 minute)
  4. Sift in the self-raising flour, plain flour and then separately, add the dessicated coconut into the butter mixture
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  5. Use a wooden spoon to mix ingredients until just combined and traces of flour remain
  6. Add in white chocolate chunks and nut pieces
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  7. Stir till combined
  8. Roll teaspoons of dough and place 5cm apart on the trays (they have some serious spread which is fantastic) – if it is hot, place a little water or grease on your hands and then roll OR use a 25ml cookie scoop
  9. Press the dough down with a fork and slightly flatten
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  10. Bake for 14-18 minutes, or until golden – they should still be soft in the centre and firm up on cooling – if you are using a non-fan forced oven, turn trays around half way through baking time
  11. Cool for 5 minutes on tray before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely – I ate one before this could happen…

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Notes:

  • BAKE THEM FOR 15 MINUTES – THEY WILL BE THE SOFTEST MOST BEAUTIFUL COOKIES EVER 😀

Would I recommend buying this product?  Most definitely. I love the flavour of it in these cookies, and I bet in many other recipes as well, coconut sugar would be a hit! And if it tastes good and does the job, the nutrients and low GI come in free 🙂

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Before I say my goodbyes on this post and all, I am WAY overdue (months and months, seriously… oops) in recognising people who have been kind enough to recognise me with awards!

I may not be passing them on (Frankly, there is not one blogger out there that I know who does not deserve all of them), but I would like to finally take the time to say thank you to the bloggers who were kind enough to think of me 🙂

  1. A Pug In The Kitchen awarded me with the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! How cool is that, thank you! 🙂
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    This blog has incredible recipes, savoury to sweet, but my current favourite is her newest post, Peanut Butter Chocolate Kiss Cookies – goodbye Hershey’s Kisses forever 😀

Thank you all so much! In case I missed someone, please let me know!

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Cheap Super Foods Australia boasts of the best organic quality in their products and this is definitely evident in the good packaging and delicious flavour. Not only do they have a wide range of ingredients to try such as acai powder (what even…) and goji berries, but check out theirSuperfoods Blogto get fabulous ideas on how to implement them in day to day recipes!

*Disclaimer: I may have received these products courtesy of the company but my opinion of each ingredient was all my own

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131 Comments

  1. Droooool…fabulous cookies, Uru! They look incredible and I love all the ingredients you put in there. I love coconut sugar – this reminds me, I need to buy myself a new bag cause I’m all out!

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  2. Heather says:

    I absolutely adore Coconut Sugar, so much so I buy it in bulk on amazing- the stuff is amazing. I am so happy you are expanding your view on organic 😉 and trying these amazing super foods!!xoxo

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  3. helene dsouza says:

    Lucky you indeed Uru! =D
    Now I like what you have done here with the coconut sugar. It’s for sure one of my favorite sugar types too.

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  4. This is so cool! I’ve been wanting to play around with coconut sugar for so long, but keep forgetting/getting busy/not finding it at the store. I really need to make a better effort to track some down, since these cookies look flat out awesome.

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  5. Monica says:

    Really interesting on the coconut sugar. So much to learn! Who knows what we’ll all be using in ten years time. These cookies look great. I’m a huge fan of cashew nuts and I bet they’re so good with white chocolate. I want one! : )

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  6. Juliana says:

    I got some coconut sugar a while ago and sure it once in a while, but yet have to bake with it…your cookies look great, love the coconut and the cashew in the cookies and of course the white chocolate.
    Hope you are having a great week Uru 😀

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  7. Soni says:

    I really have to get my hands on coconut sugar!!It sounds so good and your cookies must really taste amazing with all the coconut flavors going on 🙂

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  8. Sarah says:

    I’ve never used coconut sugar but always love hearing about new foodie ideas, thanks so much for this post! The cookies look incredible as always 🙂

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  9. jlaceda says:

    Being originally from the Philippines, I know coconut sugar quite well! Low in glycemic index, that’s for sure. As usual, Uru, your sweets and treats are irresistible!

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  10. That’s it, Uru, I’m taking the coconut dive! I think I’ll begin with sugar. I’ve been hesitating about adding coconut to my cooking repertoire but after seeing this post, oh how could I resist.

    Congrats on all the awards. You sure do deserve all the attention:)

    Thank you so much for sharing…

    P.S. We’re playing the Picnic Game at my blog. Come see when you get a chance. Louise

    Like

  11. Saskia says:

    Great post! Congrats on all your awards CCU. Very well deserved. Love coconut sugar. So good to do a bit of carefree sprinkling, knowing it’s actually good for you, and sustainable to boot. These cookies look and sound ace. Love the step-by-step photos.

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  12. Lisa says:

    I’m so excited..I actually have a bag of coconut sugar! I’m definitely making your cookies soon, they look amazing, Uru! That said, congrats on your awards – more than deserved! xo

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  13. Ridwan says:

    Now, I have to look for coconut sugar,sound good for any sweet baking and congrats to all awards,you deserve it,once again Nasi goreng” is my favorite food 🙂

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  14. I’m so glad you’ve done this review.. I’ve spotted coconut sugar popping up everywhere and have been intrigued. I just didn’t want to buy it without doing the research.. and here you are with all the hard work done for me. Now all I have to do is the fun baking part:D xx

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  15. Actually, this is the first I’ve heard of coconut sugar, but those cookies could only be terrific with the ingredients you’ve got in them! White chocolate, macadamia nuts and coconut is a winning combo. 🙂

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  16. Oh I just cant imagine the agony of waiting for those little babies to come out of the oven with the gorgeous aroma… it would have killed me. You have made a very convincing case for coconut sugar. I am going to have to search it out and try your cookies 🙂

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  17. Congrats on all the awards, Chippy!

    Thanks for the plug about my Kahlua cake. You’re so sweet.

    Now, about these White Chocolate Cashew Coconut Cookies….
    I’m coming to live with you!

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  18. I’m so glad you featured these super foods! I use them all. I add chia seed to just about everything from my yogurt to salads. Coconut sugar is my go-to sugar for anything. And cocoa powder is the way to go, and then just sweeten to taste with the coconut sugar ! Love!!

    Like

  19. navane64 says:

    Your recipes and blog are becoming noticeable by the food sponsors. Great news and Love the coconut sugar. Looks pretty easy to be made and I am always in search for such recipes. Would try and pretty sure the taste will be exciting for my friends.

    Like

  20. I am curious…if you were to add Coconut sugar to Indian tea – the way we have it, milk sugar combo – would it alter the taste?

    I can have a bunch of those delicious looking cookies. I even have a cuppa by my side.

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  21. Uru, I just bought a bag of coconut sugar, while at whole foods. I haven’t even opened it yet. A very nice lady, standing by me, told me to give it a try…she said I would love it. I guess I’ll have to give your beautiful cookies a try. Congrats on the awards!

    Like

  22. laurasmess says:

    Aw, I am so glad that I’m not the only one who’s behind on awards. I counted the pending ones yesterday and I have 11 to respond to. Argh! I feel terrible! I like the way you did your acknowledgements (eg without the ‘answers to questions’ and the re-nominations). Onto coconut sugar: I LOVE that stuff! I usually buy mine from Gewurzhaus but I love the fact that this company sells such affordable, quality products. Wish that they asked me to promote them! 🙂 Gorgeous recipe Uru. Yay for coconutty, sweet white chocolate cookies. Yum!

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  23. Hotly Spiced says:

    I’ve been reading about coconut sugar on a few blogs at the moment and keep hearing how good it is compared with what we in West traditionally use to sweeten things. I must get out there and buy some and start cooking with it. Congrats on all your awards Uru xx

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  24. glamorous glutton says:

    Wow! that’s quite a heap of awards, congratulations! These cookies look amazing, definitely going to try the coconut sugar. GG

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  25. What an educational post! I’m not one to shop the organic food aisle, mostly because everything is super duper expensive in comparison to more generic supermarket brands, but I might have to give that a rethink. These look fantastic! 🙂

    Like

  26. bec {daisy and the fox} says:

    Wow! congrats on all this awards my friend! 🙂 you most certainly deserve them!
    and this coconut sugar sounds right on the money – healthy and yum – win win! those biscuits look divine! and super nourish 😛
    the least we can do to stay healthy through all this school comfort eating haha 🙂

    Like

  27. Meenakshi says:

    Kudos on all the blog awards! Great post- I have heard of coconut sugar, but didn’t know what the product actually contained. Considering this is Bombay, I’m sure there is coconut sugar available- I just don’t know where. The way you described the smell is making me hungry! I love a chewy cookie over a crunchy one, any day 🙂

    Like

  28. viveka says:

    Not surprised that you had a cascade of awards falling over you – and what a fantastic way to present them. Excellent, like everything else you do here in your world.
    Thank you so much for the nice presentation and congratulation to all the awards that you have so well deserved.

    Like

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