Everything Cookies

Tuesday, when listing the contents of Prince Go-for-It's lunch, I mentioned our "Everything Cookies," so thought today I'd share the recipe.  They came from wanting to pack as much nutrition into an appealing snack that I could for my hungry and growing athletes.  The kids often requested commercially produced granola and energy bars to add to their lunches or to provide a boost going into sports practice.  My goal was to replace those sugar-heavy bars with whole grains, protein, and healthy fats to sustain them through their strenuous activities... Basically, trying for a meal in a cookie (or two).

"Everything Cookies"

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (convection) or 375 degrees (bake)

Cream together

• 1 c butter (or 1/2 c butter + 1/2 c coconut oil)
• 1/2 c almond butter
• 1/2 cup evaporated cane juice sugar

Add and mix in til fluffy

• 2 Tablespoons molasses
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Mix in thoroughly

• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 3 cups rolled oats

Stir in

• 1 cup chocolate chips 
• 1 cup raisins or dried cranberries
• 1/2 to 1 cup unsweetened coconut
• 1 cup coarsely chopped or broken walnuts

Using a spoon or cookie scoop, place dough in approximately 3 tablespoon portions on lightly greased cookie sheet...with space in between for spreading.  I press the ball-shaped portions with my fingers to flatten slightly... Don't know that it's really necessary.





Bake for approximately 12-14 minutes, until lightly brown.  Remove from oven, and after a minute or 2 to rest in the pan, move to a rack to cool completely before packing or storing.


Makes 36 - 40 cookies.


Nutritional value, per cookie:  200 calories, 12 g fat, 25 g carbohydrates (6 g sugar), 4.4 g protein



I pack 2 cookies per small ZipLoc bag for lunches and packed snacks.  I find that they disappear much less quickly if they're bagged right away, instead of just put into the cookie jar!