Breakfast Cookies (makes 12 - 16)

I have a character flaw that makes it impossible for me to get ready on time in the morning. Why can’t I just get up 10 minutes earlier? Drink my coffee in peace instead of spilling half of it on the drive? (Don’t even talk to me about travel mugs. That tiny spout doesn’t work for me. Am I saying I’d rather wear my coffee than sacrifice the tiniest bit of coffee enjoyment? YES.) At this point, I’ve conceded that this is just my life – running late every flippin’ day.

Still I should probably eat something. When my caffeine to food ratio gets too high, my characteristic overly-enthusiastic teaching starts to border on child abuse. These cookies are healthy enough that I consider them fair game for breakfast, and I can make a bunch ahead of time before the morning chaos takes over.

Real food?                       

Craisins actually have a lot of added sugar (You may not have known that, because Ocean Spray really doesn’t want you to know that), but I don’t feel too bad about it given they’re the only source of added sugar and it’s a COOKIE. I like the tart cranberry flavor, but if you want to avoid added sugar, raisins are naturally sweet. Or just go ahead and add chocolate chips if you want. They have a lot of sugar too, but at least they’re honest about it! For the peanut butter and applesauce, make sure you check the ingredients to see what you’re really getting.

Cook time:                      

About 20 minutes + about 25 minutes baking + 5 seconds to frantically grab one on your way out the door.

Price:                                  

$3.50/batch or about $0.25/cookie

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas (mashed) 
• 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
• 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• Cinnamon (The answer is always cinnamon!)
• Nutmeg (just a dash)
• 1 1/2 cup rolled oats 
• 1/2 cup Craisins 

Directions

1.  Preheat the oven to 350° and prepare the ingredients.

I usually mash the bananas in the food processor. By the way, if you don’t have ripe bananas you can fake it by baking them for a while at 300°. Don’t be alarmed when they turn completely black.

2.  Mix everything together.

First mix together the bananas, peanut butter, applesauce, vanilla, and spices. Then add in the oats and Craisins.

3.  Spoon out the cookies and bake.

Spoon the mix onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (just like for everything else, I use my Pampered Chef pan). Bake at 350° for 20 – 30 minutes. Even when they’re done, they’ll still be soft, so just cook them until they look brown enough.

4. Serve!

People always say to let cookies cool before you eat them. What happens if you don’t? They kinda fall apart? I can live with that.

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