Oatmeal Power Cookies

"Healthy" is not a word generally associated with cookies.  Today is your lucky day!  I am pleased to share with you a healthy cookie recipe.  Most importantly, it actually tastes like a cookie!

These cookies are filled with all good things: fruit, oats, nuts, and spices.  The cookies contain no eggs and butter!  How is that possible?  Mango puree, my friends.  And, if you can't find mango puree, just make it.  There is quite a medley of different flavors in this cookie, but no flavor is overpower.  The combinations truly complement.

The cookies have the texture and taste of a cookie, and these cookies will surely satisfy any sweet craving.  Next time I make these, I will swap out some of the raisins and try putting some yogurt chips for a different taste.

If you're headed on a road trip or looking for something other than the standard granola bar for a hike, bake up a batch of these, and enjoy!

Oatmeal Power Cookies
Yield 18 cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup diced fresh apple (one apple should be plenty; alternatively, you can use dried fruit of your choice)
1 cup raisins
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice
1/2 cup mango puree*
1/4 cup turbinado sugar (raw sugar)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.  Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, diced apple (or dried fruit), raisins, coconut flakes, nuts, baking soda, cinnamon, and allspice.  In a separate smaller bowl, whisk the mango puree, turbinado sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and combine.  Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated.

Roll 1/4 cup of dough into a ball and place on the cooking sheet.  Slightly flatten each ball.  Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Source: Adapted from the Chopra Center Cookbook  

* Instead of buying mango puree, I peeled and chopped two small ripe mangos, combined the mangos with 1 tbsp. of water in my blender, and pureed the mixture in my blender for about 30 seconds.