Cookies the “Canyon Ranch” Way – Guilt Free and Gluten Free

Canyon Ranch Orange Pecan Cookies

This past weekend, I spent an energetic and invigorating but relaxing weekend at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA celebrating a good friend’s birthday.  We exercised several hours a day which enabled us to enjoy the delicious and guilt-free snacks and cuisine offered by the talented chefs at this “healthy living” resort. 

As a big ”snacker”, I’m always looking for a tasty and healthy little nibble between or after a meal that satisfies my constant cravings for something sweet and chewy.  While I love dessert, I try to limit my intake. 

 

A  cookie can be a good choice for a snack but they are usually high in calories, full of bad fat and carbs.   But not so at Canyon Ranch.  They bake delicious fresh cookies every day, that are healthier than processed cookies and less “fattening” than most other homemade recipes or bakery products due to the inclusion of different flours, less butter and sugar.

 

My favorite Canyon Ranch sweet of the weekend was the Orange Pecan Cookies.   Not only were they exceptionally tasty, but they’re Gluten Free too, a healthful choice for anyone with gluten allergies.  This flourless and “butter-less” homemade treat is flavored with orange zest and orange extract and studded with chopped pecans.  It’s just the right snack to satisfy my sweet tooth any time of the day — in the morning, between workouts, or for a small dessert.  

 

Recipe from the Canyon Ranch – Lenox, Ma  website:

 

Orange Pecan Cookies (Gluten Free)

(Makes 20 (2-cookie) servings)

Ingredients:2 cups chopped pecans  2/3 cup cane sugar 2 teaspoons grated orange peel 2 teaspoons orange extract 3 beaten egg whitesInstructions:1. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly coat a baking sheet lightly with canola oil.2. Place pecans in food processor and process until oily in texture. Add cane sugar, orange peel and extract and mix briefly by hand. Add egg whites slowly and mix by hand until a thin dough forms. Chill in refrigerator at least 2 hours or overnight. 3. Measure heaping teaspoonfuls of dough and place 2-inches apart onto baking sheet. Bake  8 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely before removing from pan.

 

NUTRITION FACTS

 

One serving – TWO 2 1/2 in Canyon Ranch Orange Pecan Cookies  

110 calories

8 gm. fat

9 gm. carbohydrate

0 mg. cholesterol

1 gm. protein      
4 mg. sodium      
1 gm. fiber 

 

For comparion –

ONE Keebler Pecan Sandie contains:

 80 calories

5 gm. fat

9 gm. carbohydrate

5 mg. cholesterol

1 gm. protein      
50 mg. sodium      

 

So it looks like the Canyon Ranch “fresh baked” Orange Pecan Cookies contain almost half the calories and carbs than a store bought processed product like Keebler Pecan Sandies. With no cholesterol and limited sodium as well, the Orange Pecan Cookies, in my opinion, not only taste great, but are healthier too.

 

I can’t wait to bake up a batch of the Orange Pecan Cookies. The recipe can be found in the Gluten Free section of the Canyon Ranch website.   Check out Canyon Ranch Dessert Recipes for other cookie and dessert recipes.  Let me know your favorite.