As my desire to be more aware of the food I eat increases, finding recipes to suit my needs decreases. I now have to modify, or create from scratch, most recipes. Now, although I look to make the majority of my food fruit and vegetable-based, I will not deny that I love chocolate and cookies. I am constantly looking for that line where healthy and delectable meet. I think this recipe has done a pretty good job. The steel cut oats add great texture and all the benefits of oats. The agave nectar adds some sweet, but is low on the glycemic index so blood sugar won't shoot through the roof(you could substitute stevia for less calories). The oil is an option if you are looking for some healthy fats(supposing you use grapeseed or olive oil), but if you are looking for lower calorie you can use all applesauce. Even the dark chocolate in moderation is a source for antioxidants. Anyhow, I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from this recipe and requests to share, so I made some yesterday and wrote down the recipe for you. Enjoy!
Vegan Steel Cut Oatmeal Cookies
Makes 2 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup steel cut oats
1 ½ cup water
1 ¼ whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp sea salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup agave nectar
¼ cup organic unsweetened applesauce
¼ cup oil (I use grapeseed oil, can substitute applesauce)
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup chopped nuts of choice (I’ve used hazelnuts and walnuts)
½ cup dried cranberries
1 organic dark chocolate bar, chopped (I used chocolate dream dark bar, it has no dairy)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet. Boil the water and pour into a bowl with the steel cut oats. Let sit for 20 minutes, until most of the water is absorbed and oats are cool. Drain excess water. If oats aren’t cool, chocolate will melt. Add agave nectar, applesauce, oil, and vanilla extract.
Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in another bowl. Pour in wet ingredients and blend. Add cranberries, nuts, and chocolate. Mix. Place spoonfuls on cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes.
about 120 calories a cookie.
