coconut oil and peppermint oil

SLICE AND BAKE COOKIES – MADE 6 WAYS

These versatile slice-and-bake cookies offer endless flavor options! Using a simple gluten-free sugar cookie dough as a base, you can add nearly any mix-ins you like. Soft in the center with a light crisp on the edges, they hold their shape beautifully. Made with an almond flour dough, they’re naturally dairy-free and the ideal quick and easy treat for Christmas!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE SLICE-AND-BAKE COOKIES

  • Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo-friendly
  • Made with a straightforward almond flour dough
  • Soft and chewy with perfectly crisp edges
  • Easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins
  • Kid-friendly and fun to make together
  • Perfect for holiday gifting
  • Ship well once baked

INGREDIENTS

Base Cookie Dough

  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups almond flour
  • ¾ cup tapioca flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Flavor Variations

Double Chocolate Chip

  • 1 tablespoon cacao powder
  • ½ cup mini chocolate chips
  • Sea salt flakes for topping (optional)

Dark Chocolate Dipped Orange Zest

  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • ½ tablespoon orange zest, plus extra for topping
  • 1 tablespoon almond flour
  • ½ cup dark chocolate, melted (for topping, optional)

Cinnamon Sugar Pecan

  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon (1 teaspoon for dough, 1 teaspoon for coating)
  • ½ cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar (for coating)

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut

  • ½ cup finely chopped white chocolate chips
  • ½ cup finely chopped macadamia nuts

Dark Chocolate & Pistachio

  • ½ cup finely chopped dark chocolate, plus more for drizzling
  • ½ cup finely chopped pistachios
  • Sea salt flakes for topping (optional)

White Chocolate Dipped Candy Cane Swirl

  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1 teaspoon red food coloring
  • Cane sugar for rolling (optional)
  • ½ cup melted white chocolate (for topping, optional)
  • Crushed candy canes for topping (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Prepare the Dough Base: In a mixing bowl, beat together the egg, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and any other wet ingredients specific to your chosen flavor. Use a hand or stand mixer, or a sturdy whisk.
  • For Candy Cane Swirl Flavor: Skip adding the food coloring until the dough is fully mixed.
  • Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the almond flour, tapioca flour, baking soda, sea salt, and any dry ingredients specific to your flavor. Continue mixing until a ball of dough forms.
  • Color the Candy Cane Swirl Dough (If Making): For the Candy Cane Swirl, split the dough in half and add the red food coloring to one half. Set aside the plain half.
  • Add Mix-ins: Fold in any mix-ins (like nuts, chocolate, spices, etc.) for your chosen flavor. Mix just enough to distribute them throughout the dough.
  • Knead and Shape: Transfer the dough to a flat surface with a piece of parchment paper and a little tapioca flour. Knead a few times to evenly incorporate the mix-ins. Shape the dough into a log, approximately 10–12 inches long, depending on how many cookies you want.
  • For Candy Cane Swirl Flavor: Roll the red-colored dough to about 10×20 inches on parchment paper, then roll out the plain dough separately to the same size. Layer the plain dough over the red dough, press lightly, and trim the edges. Roll from the shorter end into a log shape.
  • Flavor-Specific Coatings:
    • For Cinnamon Sugar Pecan: Mix the remaining teaspoon of cinnamon with coconut sugar and roll the log in this mixture.
    • For Candy Cane Swirl: Sprinkle cane sugar on the log and roll it to coat (optional).
  • Chill the Dough: Wrap the log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour to firm up.
  • Slice and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the log into 1-inch thick cookies with a sharp knife, keeping the dough chilled for clean cuts. Arrange cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them at least 1 inch apart. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges turn golden and crispy.
  • Cool and Decorate (Optional): Let cookies cool completely before adding decorations:
    • Double Chocolate Chip: Sprinkle with sea salt flakes.
    • Dark Chocolate Dipped Orange Zest: Dip half of each cookie in melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with extra orange zest.
    • Dark Chocolate & Pistachio: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over each cookie and top with sea salt.
    • White Chocolate Dipped Candy Cane Swirl: Dip each cookie halfway in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DRY SCALP & GENTLE HAIR CONDITIONING MASK

A dry, flaky scalp can be a harmless issue, but it can become bothersome if it leads to itchiness and embarrassing when others notice the white flakes. Here are some natural remedy suggestions, including essential oils that can help alleviate dry scalp.

TREATING DRY, ITCHY SCALP NATURALLY

First, it’s important to distinguish between dry skin and dandruff. While some remedies may help both conditions, dandruff is more complex and requires a different approach.

Dandruff is typically caused by excess oil, resulting in larger, yellowish flakes that are more difficult to remove. An unpleasant odor may also accompany dandruff. If this is your concern, you may need to consider more intensive treatments.

Once you’ve established that you’re dealing with a dry scalp, it’s helpful to identify the underlying cause of the dryness. While you can start using essential oils for dry scalp right away, understanding the root cause can help prevent recurring issues.

Some common causes of a dry scalp include:

  • Stress
  • Poor diet
  • Dehydration
  • Seasonal changes and climate (such as cold, dry winter air or excessive sunlight in summer)
  • Harsh chemicals in shampoos, conditioners, styling products, or other hair treatments
  • Hormonal changes

I recommend being cautious with dandruff shampoos, as the chemicals in these products may exacerbate dry scalp conditions. 

BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DRY SCALP

These essential oils are renowned for their ability to cleanse the sensitive skin of the scalp and enhance hair conditioning. This list serves as an excellent starting point to discover which oils work best with your unique body chemistry.

  • Lavender: Known as one of the best oils for skin care, lavender essential oil is gentle yet potent, featuring antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
  • Tea Tree: This oil promotes healing of the scalp thanks to its antifungal properties and can also stimulate hair growth.
  • Rosemary: With its antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics, rosemary stimulates the scalp and may promote hair growth.
  • Cedarwood: This earthy oil combats bacteria and fungi with its antiseptic properties, adding shine to hair and serving as a heat protectant.
  • Lemongrass: A popular cleansing oil, lemongrass essential oil is effective for oily hair and helps strengthen hair follicles. It also boasts anti-inflammatory and detoxifying benefits.

A simple apple cider vinegar hair rinse can sometimes provide just what you need to balance your scalp’s skin, eliminate any bacteria contributing to dry scalp issues, and improve your hair’s texture. For many, this may be the only natural hair treatment needed in their routine. Here is a recipe for making apple cider vinegar at home that you can refer to.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Author: Mama Z

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar
  • 1⅓ cups purified or distilled water
  • 30-48 drops of essential oils*

Instructions

  • Combine one part apple cider vinegar with four parts water and add your choice of essential oils.
  • Pour the mixture into a squeeze bottle or a repurposed shampoo bottle.
  • After shampooing, apply the rinse to clean, wet hair in the shower.
  • Gently massage it into your scalp and the roots of your hair, allowing it to soak for 3-5 minutes.
  • Rinse thoroughly. You may find that you don’t need to use as much conditioner after this treatment.

Notes: The ratio for this recipe is 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water. Feel free to adjust the quantities as needed for your family.

*Recommended essential oils include lavender, tea tree, cedarwood, lemongrass, and rosemary. Use about 15-20 drops per cup.

If your dry scalp requires more intensive moisturizing, this natural hair and scalp treatment is just what you need! Customize the essential oils to find the perfect match for your skin. Keep in mind that it may take a few applications and some time to heal your scalp. Here’s Mama Z’s at-home hair mask recipe for you to try!

NATURAL HAIR MASK TREATMENT

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 tablespoons aloe vera gel
  • 2 tablespoons organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon carrier oil or raw organic local honey*
  • 24-30 drops of your choice of essential oils**

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Combine all the ingredients to create a hair treatment mixture.
  • Apply the natural hair mask to your scalp, ensuring it penetrates the skin to help eliminate bacteria and flakes.
  • Start at the crown of your head or your natural part, working the mask down your scalp. A wide-tooth comb can help distribute the mask effectively if needed.
  • Cover your head with a shower cap or a clean towel, allowing the mask to soak in for 15-20 minutes or as long as desired.
  • Rinse thoroughly and shampoo or condition as usual, though you may find you don’t need as much conditioner after this treatment.

Notes:

  • Follow this mask with my Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse to balance your hair’s pH and remove any excess product. Use an organic, unscented conditioner on the ends of your hair.
  • I recommend using a scalp massager to thoroughly work the hair mask into your scalp. For extra care, you can use a Nix lice comb to remove any leftover particles from your hair and scalp.
  • To complete your hair care routine, consider applying our Hair Regrowth Gel.

*Avoid coconut oil, as it can dry out the skin. Opt for jojoba, argan, almond, or olive oil instead; jojoba is particularly good for adding shine. Honey is also a great option for moisturizing and can help tame frizz.

**Suggested essential oils include cedarwood, lavender, lemongrass, tea tree, and rosemary. My favorite blend is equal parts peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree.

This treatment makes for a wonderful weekly ritual, especially while you unwind in a detox bath or simply to rejuvenate your scalp’s skin.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, essential oils offer a natural and effective solution for addressing dry scalp and promoting healthy hair. By carefully selecting oils like lavender, rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint, you can create a gentle yet potent hair conditioning mask tailored to your specific needs. Remember to always conduct a patch test before using essential oils on your scalp, and dilute them properly with a carrier oil to avoid irritation. With consistent use, this DIY hair mask can help nourish your scalp, reduce dandruff, and leave your hair feeling soft, shiny, and revitalized. Embrace the power of nature and unlock the transformative potential of essential oils for your hair care routine.