Whole Grain Apple Oat Cookies

It’s that time of the month where our community of fellow RD + health-minded food bloggers get together and share a specially-and secretively-themed recipe!

This month our theme is healthier holiday treats! {See all the other delicious and beautiful recipes at the link up at the bottom of this post.}

While I’m a lover of all things dessert – I think I’m particular fond of cookies.

I especially love cookies this time of year! And, while I’m usually all about giving Thanksgiving its rightful glory and not bringing Christmas into the house until after turkey day, this year I’m really merrying the two.

Cookies are a beloved holiday treat because they bring back warm and cozy memories of baking during the holidays with family when we were young. I also adored my college’s annual Cookie Party (which I miss and wish I was there every year after).

So this year I’m bringing the party to my house {and work}! I remade a holiday-inspired, but healthier cookie.

Healthier? How?

Well this recipe only uses whole grains like whole wheat pastry flour, old fashioned oats, and flax seeds.

I also used plant-based fats from coconut oil and half the sugar content by using a plant-based sweetener. I also cut the fat calories by 1/3 by incorporating unsweetened applesauce which also incorporates more of the holiday flavor.

These make great gifts for neighbors, friends, teachers, coworkers or are a great addition to share at a cookie party!

I made a version of these for my husband’s cookie & recipe share at work last week.  I swapped out the chocolate chips and added 1/4 cup of each- craisins, pistachios, and white chocolate chips for a little red, white, and green holiday decadence.

Whole Grain Apple Oat Cookie

Makes: 18

Ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut oil, softened

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

3/4 cup Stevia in the raw

3/4 cup Turbinado sugar

3/4 cup milled flax seed

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt {optional}

3 cups old fashioned oats

1/2 cup dark (or semisweet) chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 baking sheets with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, beat the butter, Stevia, and sugar together. Blend in the flaxseed. Mix in the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla and combine well.

In a separate bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and oats. Mix well.

Combine the dry ingredients into the wet ones and mix together. Fold in the chocolate chips, pistachios, and craisins.

Using an ice cream scoop, drop the dough onto the cookie sheet and shape with the bake of the spoon until slightly flattened {these will not spread out very much}.

Bake for 12-15 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

These might be so good you just might start merging Thanksgiving and Christmas, too!

Enjoy!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Becca