Vegan Oat Cookies
These cookies are my Mom's favorite. I actually created this recipe in college! In one of my nutrition classes, we had to create a healthy recipe based on a type of dessert. Hence, these hearty cookies! You can add or substitute a few of the ingredients, but remember- they do take a good effort to combine the mixture so that all the dry ingredients become moist. I love these healthy bites with black coffee in the morning!
Enjoy!

Ingredients:
½ cup raw sugar OR ½ coconut sugar
¼ cup maple syrup OR ¼ cup amber coconut nectar
1 ½ cup applesauce (add a ripe banana if you desire a more moist consistency)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 ½ cup whole-grain flour
3 cups of quick oats
1 ½ cups total of (choose from): raisins, dark chocolate chips, dried cranberries, nuts (crushed almonds, walnuts, pecans, macadamia), granola, crystallized ginger pieces, chopped dates, coconut flakes, poppy seeds.
Directions:
Preheat oven for 350 degrees.
Mix ingredients together. It takes a while to get all the ingredients mixed and moist. You may need to add a mashed banana or more apple sauce.
Grease cookie sheet and bake for 8-12 minutes.
Enjoy these hearty cookies with a big mug of hot tea or coffee!
Health Benefits:
Packed with fiber from whole grains/oats.
Vegan.
Antioxidants from cinnamon, and the extras of ginger, dates, nuts, dark chocolate (look for the vegan if you do not want the dairy component), and coconut!
Note: I try to buy local, but when I cannot find specific ingredients, I often buy online through company web stores such as Vitacost, Lucky Vitamin or Sunfood.
* Adapted from my book “The Humble Life Journal~ Reflections on Simplicity & Stewardship” Check it out on Amazon!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07642DBH7
In Grace,
Cara