Best Ever Oatmeal Cookies (with chia seeds!)

 

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When I’m bored, things can get pretty dangerous.

Particularly if I’m anywhere in the vicinity of a kitchen…

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You see, I don’t do well with being “bored.” I’m the kind of person who feels the need to be in a constant state of motion–always doing, creating, and working on something.

 

The bonus?

 

Boredom is pretty much an open invitation for some serious recipe experimentation– no matter what the hour (and you can’t put a time cap on inspiration people!). When I’m bored, I will literally rummage through every one of my cupboards and every inch of my refrigerator and try to create a masterpiece out of whatever I can find. And believe me, when you stock the kitchen like I do, It’s a Christmas miracle if I can pull a decent dinner together! But what can I say…I love  a challenge. “Chopped” has nothing on me.

 

Thankfully, what often starts off looking like a dangerous experiment typically turns into a delightful surprise – I’ve actually come up with some of my best recipes during these random bouts of boredness. So it’s a good thing I got a little ancy last weekend…because inspiration struck around, oh, 11:00 on a Saturday night when I suddenly found myself hell-bent on creating this quick and easy vegan oatmeal cookie recipe…

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You see, the boyfriend and I had just gotten back from watching the Red Sox game at a bar down the street when I decided it has been far too long since I’ve put up a recipe post (I know, I know. Please forgive me :( ?). Originally I had the idea to whip up some overnight oatmeal (don’t worry, recipe to come!) so that breakfast would be all set and good to go pre-spin class the next morning…but I had a little hankering for a midnight snack ;) .

 

Cookies and milk anyone?

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So.

There I was. 

11:30 at night. 

Baking…

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I starting tossing together a whole bunch of ingredients (eyeballing rather than measuring them) and in about 10 minutes, a dozen soft and chewy oatmeal cookies emerged on a plate ready for the boyfriend to taste-test…

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After a moment of hesitation and the “look” — that “how on EARTH did you bake something in 10 minutes?” look– he took a bite and declared “These are the BEST oatmeal cookies… EVER!” And the best part of all? Aside from being 100% delicious and 100% whole grain… these vegan cookies are lower in sugar and lower in fat than your traditional oatmeal cookies. Plus, the added chia seeds provide a healthy dose of omega-3s for good measure!

 

Betcha wonder where I got the name, huh? :)

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Comfy pj’s, ice-cold almond milk, and warm and cozy cookies?

Go ahead.

Tell me that’s not heaven.

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Needless to say, the first batch of oatmeal cookies didn’t last very long. And to be honest, since I tossed the ingredients together without doing any measuring, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to replicate this amazing recipe again…

 

But don’t worry!

EVERYONE REMAIN CALM.

Here it is :)

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Cookie on.

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Best EVER Oatmeal Cookies

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Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole-grain oats
  • 1/3 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (regular flour will also work if you don’t have pastry flour. Looking to make these gluten-free? Sub extra oats for flour)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (for a lower-sugar version, feel free to cut back on the sugar and sub in a little stevia. Just be sure increase the applesauce by 2-3 tablespoons so the batter isn’t too dry)
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional, but are a healthy way to get your omega-3s!)
  • 1/2 (heaping) teaspoon cinnamon
  • slightly over 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 (heaping) cup of applesauce
  • 1 & 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil (you can try to cut this out for fat-free cookies, but I cannot vouch for the taste/texture without it…plus, a little healthy fat is perfectly okay!)
  • 1-2 individual boxes of raisins
  • Optional: try adding in 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of shredded coconut,a small handful of chocolate chips or a few drops of vanilla stevia (for extra sweetness)

 

Directions:

  • Pre-heat the oven to 350°.
  • Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

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  • Mix all the wet ingredients in another bowl and add to the dry ingredients– mix well.
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  • Grease a cookie sheet with all-natural, non-stick spray or coconut oil.
  • Spoon batter into little balls (slightly smaller than a golf ball) and place them on the cookie sheet.
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  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes (or until they start to brown around the edges).
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  • Note: The cookies will be very soft when you take them out of the oven and may not look done– don’t worry–they will firm up as they cool.
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  • Serve with an ice-cold glass of almond milk :)
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  • Store cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days (if you don’t eat them right away that is!)
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Go on.

Show those late night munchies who’s boss!

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Healthfully yours,

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Ashley Michelle

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