Healthy Cookies

If you have been on Pinterest, you've probably seen these cookies floating around.  The cookie that has no butter, no eggs and is called a 'healthy cookie'.  Well, obviously I had to try it immediately.  Obviously.
This recipe comes from 101 Cookbooks.  I had to make a few alterations due to allergies and ingredients I had on hand, and I'm sure the substitutions affected the flavor and texture a little.

Ingredients

3 large, ripe bananas, well mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup coconut oil, barely warm - so it isn't solid (or alternately, olive oil) *I used olive oil

2 cups rolled oats

2/3 cup almond meal 1/3 cup milled flax seed mixed with 1/3 cup AP flour. *I had to sub out almond meal b/c my son is allergic to nuts.  I have no idea if this is a good substitution or not, but it seems like I read it somewhere!

1/3 cup coconut, finely shredded & unsweetened

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

6 - 7 ounces chocolate chips or dark chocolate bar chopped *I used a combination of both

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, racks in the top third.

In a large bowl combine the bananas, vanilla extract, and olive oil. Set aside. In another bowl whisk together the oats, almond meal milled flax seed/flour, shredded coconut, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.

 Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the chocolate chunks/chips.The dough is a bit looser than a standard cookie dough, don't worry about it. 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 - 14 minutes. 

**In my opinion, you need to cook these until you think they are getting  ready to burn.  I did not like the texture otherwise.  However, everyone is different, and I made substitutions.  The kids didn't really eat them, they just picked out the chocolate.  (I don't know where they get that stuff from!)  Next time, I think I'll make them with the almond meal and see if  it makes a difference in taste and texture.  Overall, this is a pretty decent  cookie for what it is.  It's certainly not going to be confused with a butter laden cookie, but it works to tame a chocolate craving and offer a healthier alternative to your kids.  Because your kids might eat them.  My kids are weird.  Said with love, of course.

I'm linking up today with - Homemaker on a Dime, Delightfully Dowling, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative