Ginkgo Shaped Spiced Cookies

Ginkgo or (Ichō) trees are another celebrated tree in autumn along with the maple for autumn viewing. Much like in the spring with the cherry blossom viewing or (hanami) . The autumn leaf viewing or koyo is a longer season ranging from late October to late November early December. Unlike the maples which turn green to vibrant red the ginkgo tree leaves turn a brilliant yellow. These trees are often planted in avenues and one of the best places and most celebrated in Tokyo is the avenue (Ichō Namiki) at Meiji Jingu Gaien. Around 150 trees line the avenue and from the 16th of November to 2nd of December a matsuri is held there to celebrate the trees. Be sure to watch my Instagram as I will be visiting this year (2018).

I decided to make some cookies to represent the ginkgo leaf and served them with a chai turmeric latte.

Spiced ginkgo leaf cookies

you will need

in one bowl

1 cup oat flour

1/2 cup of plain flour

2/3 cup almond flour ( meal )

1 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder

1 teaspoon of turmeric and 1/2 a teaspoon each of cinnamon,nutmeg and ginger

Mix

in another bowl

1/4 cup of melted coconut butter / oil

1/2 cup of maple syrup

Add wet ingredients to try to form a dough

Tip out onto some plastic wrap and form into a ball and place into the freezer for ten mins to firm up.

Take your dough out the freezer and place on a surface  lined with parchment paper, roll out your dough . When your dough is flat cut out your cookies with a cutter and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can keep reusing up your dough until it’s all gone . Put your cookies in the oven for 10 mins . Leave to cool and enjoy.

These cookies stay lovely and crisp for days in an air tight container.