Sunflower Date Cookies (Gluten-Free)

• 2 cups roasted sunflower seeds
• 1 cup dates, pitted
• 1 cup raisins
• 2 tablespoons almond butter
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated orange peel
• 1 vanilla beans or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• toasted slivered almonds
• citrus zest

1. If using a vanilla bean, scrape out the seeds and place with the pod in a small saucepan with about 1/2 cup of water.
2. Simmer until water is infused with vanilla, remove from heat, and remove the pod.
3. Soak raisins in the vanilla bean water or hot water with vanilla extract for about 15 minutes or until plump.
4. In a food processor, PULSE the sunflower seeds and dates until combined.
5. Add raisins including the soaking water, almond butter and orange peel.
6. PULSE to desired consistency.
7. *Form mixture into balls and flatten.
8. Top with almonds and blanched citrus zest.
9. Refrigerate for about two hours.
10. *I found it much easier to form the balls if the mixture was chilled first.
11. Note: To make almond butter from scratch, process roasted almonds in a food processor until smooth, drizzling in a bit of neutral-tasting oil if more creaminess is desired.

sunflower seeds, dates, raisins, almond butter, vanilla beans, almonds

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/sunflower-date-cookies-gluten-free-434656 (may not work)