Method
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- If using a flaxseeds, process the flaxseeds to a fine powder in a clean coffee or spice grinder. Then, whisk together the flax powder and water in a small bowl. Set aside to thicken for 10 minutes, whisking occasionally. It should be thick and viscous and the consistency of a beaten egg.
- In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, process 3/4 cup of the oats to a flour (a few tweedy bits here and there, without any whole oats in the mix, are fine). Transfer the oat flour to a large bowl and add the remaining oats, coconut, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Whisk to blend.
- In the food processor, combine the date paste, oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Add the flax mixture (or whole egg, if using) to the processor and blend until slightly aerated (about 1 minute).
- Scrape the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until the dough is evenly moistened. Fold in the dried fruit. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
- Using a standard ice cream scoop, drop 9 quarter-cupfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Use your fingertips to flatten each cookie to 1/2-inch thickness (the cookies will not spread much during baking). Bake until golden for about 30 minutes. You'll know they're done when their fragrance fills the kitchen, and the cookies are set enough that you can lift one off the sheet.Make sure the bottom is a deep golden color, though the centers will still be soft.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
