Simple & Healthy Living: Share the Love with Heart Tarts

There is nothing better (and more eco) than homemade goodies! Try this Linzer Heart Tart recipe, created by holistic health counselor, Carol Anne Wasserman.

These are great to make for a friend to show your appreciation or for someone you love. They are made with whole grain flour and naturally sweetened with agave nectar. Agave is really sweet - so you only need a little bit. Use a little almond flour - almonds are super healthy - and they also lend the cookies a nice rich and tender quality. If you can't find almond meal or almond flour, you can just grind up some almonds in your blender or food processor to a fine meal.

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
½ cup almond flour
½ teaspoon aluminum free baking powder
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or unrefined cold pressed sunflower, safflower, or sesame oil)
¼ cup agave nectar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl combine the dry ingredients. In another bowl combine the wet ingredients. Stir the wet into the dry. Do not overmix.

Roll out the dough, 1/8 inch thick or less, between 2 pieces of parchment paper. Sprinkle flour onto of the bottom piece of parchment only, to keep the dough from sticking.

Cut out heart shapes, any size is fine, I use 2 inch.

In half of the hearts, cut out a smaller heart, I use 1 inch.

Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake 7 – 10 minutes, depending on the size and thickness. Cookie are done when bottom edges just begin to turn slightly brown. Do not over-bake.