Thursday, September 23, 2010

Nutty Chocolate Banana Clusters (aka Nikki's 'Healthy' Cookies)

I must preface this entry by saying 1) I found these to be really good. 2) My husband (who is usually my taste-tester) is a REAL cookie fan and said these were good, but definately not to be called 'cookies'--more like ice-cream toppings or parfait layers.

Having said that, I am SO glad that I made these. They are almost guilt-less treats. Made me want to scrub the toilets or dust the cobwebs just to earn a few more. I read somewhere that they amount to about 79 calories a 'cookie'. And gives you energy to boot. No butter, no eggs, no flour, no sugar. And still good.

Sort of like bread, my healthy cookie search continues. There are just never enough healthy cookies out there! Enjoy!!!!!!!

Thanks Heidi Swanson--recipe courtesy of 101cookbooks.com.


NUTTY DARK CHOCOLATE BANANA CLUSTER 'COOKIES'

3 large ripe bananas, well-mashed (about 1½ cups)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup coconut oil (can be found at natural food grocery stores like Whole Foods)
2 cups rolled oats
2/3 cup almond meal
1/3 cup coconut, finely shredded and unsweetened (can purchase in bulk foods section at Whole Foods)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
8 ounces mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (or carbo nibs for the vegans out there)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, --you're going to use the top third rack.

In a large bowl, combine the bananas, vanilla extract and coconut oil. Set aside. Oh, and this is what coconut oil looks like:


In another bowl, whisk together the oats, almond meal, shredded coconut, cinnamon, salt and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.

The dough is a bit looser than a standard cookie dough.

Drop dollops of the dough, each about 2 teaspoons in size, an inch apart onto a parchment- (or Silpat)-lined baking sheet.

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Check at 10 to 11 minutes to make sure the bottoms aren't burning. Mine took at least 15 minutes--check that the bottoms are burning--each oven is different.


Makes about 3 dozen 'cookies'.

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