I admit, I’ve been kind of a slacker in the Veggie Challenge lately. Not that I’ve given up on the whole thing, Eli still gets veggies with 1 or 2 meals a day, and I sneak them in wherever I can. But I haven’t really been searching out new recipes to try. Why you ask? No real reason. Just lazy I guess. Or I’ve been so busy playing with my new bread maker that I haven’t taken the time to look for new recipes.

This week’s recipe is no exception. While they are relatively healthy, as far as cookies go, there are no secret veggies stashed away. But they are full of banana, honey, oat goodness! And best of all, there is no refined sugar and no eggs. Yet they still taste fantastic. So good that you can eat 4 or 5, or a bakers dozen, and not feel guilty about it. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

Banana-Oat Cookies

1 large banana, mashed (1/2 c)
1/2 c peanut butter (I used creamy)
1/2 c honey
1 t vanilla (I used 1/2 t almond, I’m still out of vanilla)
1 c rolled oats (I used quick oats)
1/2 c whole wheat flour
1/4 c nonfat dry milk powder
2 t round cinnamon
1/4 t baking soda
2/3 c cranberries raisins or chocolate chips (you can probably figure out what I used)

Preheat the over to 350º. Lightly coat a large cookies sheet with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the banana, peanut butter, honey and vanilla (or almond if you prefer). In a small bowl, combine oats, flour, milk powder, cinnamon, and baking soda. Add oat mixture to banana mixture, stir until combined. Stir in chocolate chips (or cranberries/raisins if you prefer). Drop dough by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Enjoy!

That is leftover pasta sauce from lunch on his hands. Yes, it's the same pasta that he feed to the dogs, instead of to himself.