[RECIPE] Plant-based Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp ground flax seed 
• 3 tbsp water 
• ¾ cup vegan butter, softened 
• ¾ cup coconut sugar  
• ⅔ cup molasses 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract  
• 3 cups Lifestyle Food Self-Raising Flour
• 1 scoop Biogen Vanilla Protein Powder  
• 1 tsp baking soda 
• 1 tbsp ground ginger 
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• ½ tsp cloves 
• ½ tsp salt  

Biogen Plant Based Protein is a supreme daily supplement and an excellent choice of protein for athletes and individuals following a vegan or dairy free lifestyle. Rice and pea protein is free from gluten, dairy, and lactose making it easily digestible, especially with the added bamboo fibre, an excellent ingredient for fibre enrichment. Protein is not only essential for building and maintaining lean muscle mass, but is used for multiple functions in the body. A perfect source of protein when following a vegan lifestyle or to top up your protein intake and further enhance a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Method

1. Combine ground flax seed with water in a small bowl and let sit for 10 minutes. This  makes a flax egg.  
2. In a separate, large bowl, beat together vegan butter, brown sugar and molasses until creamy, about 3 minutes. 
3. When the flax egg is ready, add that and vanilla to the bowl and beat again. 
4. Add in flour, protein powder, baking soda, spices and salt. 
5. Stir these together with a spatula until combined, and use your hands to form 2 equal size balls. 
6. Lay down a piece of parchment paper, then one ball, then another same size piece of  parchment paper on top, and roll out the dough to 1 ½ cm thick. 
7. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
8. Cut out gingerbread men or other desired shapes. Transfer cutouts to a baking sheet. 
9. Place in oven and cook for 9-11 minutes.  
10. Remove and transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely before icing. 
11. Repeat with the remaining ball of dough, and decorate as desired. 

Flaxseed is nutrient-dense, including omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. It may improve digestive health, protect against certain types of cancer, stabilize blood sugar levels, and lower blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels.