Gluten-Free Bear Paws Style Molasses Pancakes

The lunch box's best friend!

A recipe by Julie Belzil

Bear paw cookies are a classic in many children's lunch boxes.

I thought it was a shame that my son heard about it so often without being able to taste it, so I decided to make him gluten-free bear paws.

As for reinventing the recipe, I chose to reduce the sugar a little and increase the nutritional value, while retaining the sweet flavor of the spices and molasses.

The result is a tasty treat and a nutritious snack.

With back-to-school season just around the corner, this is a safe snack to pack in your kids' lunch boxes. Feel free to make a big batch and freeze the leftovers for the busy weeks ahead!

Gluten Free Molasses Cookies

Ingredients

(For a dozen pancakes)

• 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp molasses (I use blackstrap molasses, but you can use fancy molasses)
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 3 tbsp oil (I use olive oil)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, finely ground into flour (I grind them in a coffee grinder or food processor)
• 1/2 cup fine coconut
• 1/2 cup gluten-free flour Preserved Lemon
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, let the ground flax seeds swell in the half cup of water for a few minutes, then add the molasses, maple syrup, oil and vanilla. Whisk well.
3. In another bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients.
4. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and mix well.
5. Divide the dough into 12 large cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (or lightly oiled).
6. If you feel like it, you can form "bear paws" by making 3 cuts on one side of the pancake. Once cooked, this will give you 4 plump bear toes!
7. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

A snack that will make people happy!

Providing our kids with nutritious and safe snacks that are also full of flavor and delicious is so satisfying! Don't worry, you'll definitely be allowed to enjoy one (or more!) too!

If you make this recipe, don't hesitate to share the results with us on social media and leave us your comments!