Chocolate Oatmeal Trail Mix Cookies

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Does the thought of a healthy cookie conjure up images of dry, tasteless and small culinary concoctions?

Come on, I know you buy that “healthy” little green box of cookies and eat every last one because you think you can. I’m not being Judgy Judgerson, I just always say eat a regular cookie — but I just eat one, not 10. OK, maybe two, not 10.

I’m whipping up a tasty little treat this week, and one that fits into the better-foryou category. Yay.

Chocolate Oatmeal Trail Mix Cookies.

I made a trail mix cookie a while back and got positive reviews, so I thought I would give it a little twist, and maybe make it something that would appeal to the kiddos. This would be a great treat to pack in the lunch box, or to offer the neighborhood kids when they’re over for milk and cookies. Who doesn’t want to be that mom? Or I guess the question is, do moms still do that? If you do entertain tiny guests with this recipe, put a little Bailey’s in your own milk — that goes well with the cookies, too. Just saying.

I am cutting down on the butter by using mashed bananas, and packing it full of almonds, oatmeal and a few semi-sweet chocolate chunks. Cutting down on sugar by using honey is a great natural alternative, and one that I think makes the cookies nice and chewy, with a little gleam to them. Shiny cookies, isn’t that fancy?

I really like cookies that are beefy.

Biting into something is so satisfying, and these cookies fit the bill.

So, let’s recap. Tasty, good ingredients, great with milk and Baileys, shiny and beefy. A cookie to be reckoned with, indeed. I might just go out and buy my own lunch box to fill up. Do they still have Charlie’s Angels pails? I will let you know.

Now, follow the directions, put some love into it and invite me over when it’s done.

Chocolate Oatmeal Trail Mix Cookies

1 1/2 cup flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. baking soda 2 tsp. cinnamon (plus more for dusting) 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened) 1 ripe mashed banana 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup honey 2 eggs 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla 3 cups oatmeal 1 cup sliced almonds 1/2 cup chocolate chips (add more if desired or replace with dried fruit) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Set aside.

In large bowl, mash banana and butter until well combined. Add in brown sugar and honey. Mix in eggs and vanilla and stir until well incorporated.

Combine flour with wet mixture.

Add in oatmeal. Fold in almond and chocolate chips.

Drop by tablespoons onto lightly greased baking sheet. Press dough down gently. Bake for 9-10 minutes. Take out of oven and let sit on baking sheet for a few minutes. Place cookies on cooling rack or parchment paper. Dust with cinnamon. Enjoy!

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I’m not being Judgy Judgerson, I just always say eat a regular cookie