Oatmeal Raisin “Cookies”

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Oatmeal Raisin "Cookies"

Ingredients
  

  • 3 bananas mashed
  • 1/3 cup apple sauce
  • 2 cups oats
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • nuts optional

Instructions
 

  • Mash the bananas, then mix with the rest of the ingredients.
  • Sculpt mixture into heaps on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
  • Bake at 350 F for 15-20 minutes.

For the month of June, Josh and I are participating in an Advocare 24-Day Challenge. The challenge is a program that cleanses your system, detoxes you off processed sugars/flours/food, and jumpstarts lifestyle changes. I don’t want to bore you with specifics, but if you are interested, both Coralie and I can hook you up with details.

One of my major diet weaknesses is cookies. I have very rarely met a cookie I didn’t like. When I am working a plan cookies are something I crave consistently. Since part of this program is about weaning your body off of sugar consumption, my sweet tooth is desiring to assert its dominance. As such, I have done some due diligence on the interwebs regarding desserts that won’t destroy your clean-eating attempts. One of my favorites is the classic mug “cake.” Read about Coralie’s take on it here! Another favorite is the healthy bananas foster dessert hack found here. But the more healthy “dessert” tools I have in my arsenal, the better. And although I had tried a couple of variations of the faux-cookie from Pinterest, none of the attempts were successful. Until now. I finally found a recipe that has the balanced flavor and consistency that I was looking for in a “cookie.” The recipe came to me in my Facebook feed from a cousin who shared it. Normally my recipes don’t come from Facebook, but since I was still questing for the perfect “cookie,” and had all the ingredients in my larder, I gave it a shot.

ingredientsedit

  • 3 mashed bananas
  • 1/3 cup apple sauce
  • 2 cups oats
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • nuts (optional)

I mashed the bananas, mixed in the rest of the ingredients, and then sculpted them into heaps on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.  Then, bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. These cookies don’t expand during baking so what you see going into the oven is what is coming out.

bakingcollageSun-MaidLogo_1912Banner_GoldSome things of note, I didn’t have applesauce and substituted pear sauce from Trader Joe’s. It’s just like applesauce, but with pears. So yummy. I don’t know that it made a difference, but it certainly didn’t hurt. Do you know what else didn’t hurt? The scrumptious raisin medley I used from Trader Joe’s. Sorry adorable Sun-Maid Raisin lady… but after using this blend of varietal raisins, I can never go back. My batch yielded 13 “cookies.” Depending on how large/small you shape your cookies, your numbers could vary. I did the calorie math and my 13 cookies clocked in at 86 calories per cookie. For as large, dense, and delicious as those were that number was staggering to me… in a good way. Last note, since these “cookies” contain so much smashed fruit, they need to be stored in an air-tight container stat. Additionally, since they are so moist, they have a limited shelf life of 4-5 days… but I doubt they will be around your house that long.

smartbreakfastcollage

The recommended breakfast on the Advocare 24-Day Challenge is a serving of protein, fruits, and a complex carb. Upon reviewing the ingredients of this “cookie” it occurred to me that this yummy concoction fulfills two-thirds of that recommendation. Not only are these good for a cookie craving, but they also make great go-to breakfast items. Seen here, two “cookies” and a link of chicken Italian sausage! Don’t smart breakfasts look smart?!

Oatmeal Raisin “Cookies”
Ingredients
  • 3 mashed bananas
  • 1/3 cup apple sauce
  • 2 cups oats
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • nuts (optional)
Instructions
  1. Mash bananas.
  2. Assemble ingredients.
  3. Sculpt heaps of mixture onto parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
  4. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Are you a cookie monster like me? Are you obsessed with Trader Joe’s? As always, let us know!

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Leigh

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