Monday, February 14, 2011

Banana Breakfast Cookies



"Love is the strongest force the world possesses, and yet it is the humblest imaginable."
.
-Mahatma Gandhi


Today is Valentines Day! I sincerely hope all of you are as lucky as I am on this day where all is focused on love, hearts, flowers, chocolates and romance. My husband brought me home some gorgeous roses in addition to taking me shopping a few days ago for a few things I had my eye on. I told him, "if you buy me all of this, it can be your Valentines day present for me?" I didn't expect the flowers too. So I got double the gifts this year, score! Of course it's not all about the presents. I'm also happy to say I have a wonderful husband and am very happy with him all around, (98% of the time.)


I used to bake for a local coffee shop, and these banana breakfast cookies were one of the best sellers. They're essentially oats, fruit, nuts and seeds, all wrapped up in a cookie. They were popular with customers who liked to eat healthy. These can also be made gluten free if you use gluten free oats.
.
They make for a perfect grab and go breakfast. The cookies can also be individually wrapped and frozen, so you can bake up a whole bunch of them and only do the work once, for days of healthy breakfasts.





They're pretty flexible too. I usually add honey or maple syrup to them because I like things on the sweet side. But if you don't, you don't need to at all, the bananas and dried fruit can provide enough sweetness. I make mine with dates, walnuts and sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds, but you can use any dried fruit and nut you like. Raisins or dried apricots with almonds or pecans would be lovely as well.




the roses in the background are the ones I got for Valentine's day

 
 

Never miss a post! Follow The Alchemist on Facebook! Or Pinterest!



Banana Breakfast Cookies

this recipe makes only 8 large cookies, (ice cream scoop size) but it can easily be doubled

Ingredients
4 large very ripe bananas (previously frozen is fine, just thaw them first)
2 cups oats-old fashioned or quick,(but not instant)- ground into a fine powder in a blender (I used a Vita Mix) - if you are gluten free, make sure they are gluten free oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup-optional depending on the level of sweetness you desire
1/2 cup chopped walnuts-or any chopped nuts- (make sure they are unsalted)
1/2 cup chopped dates-or other dried fruit
1/2 cup sunflower seeds-or pumpkin seeds- (again, unsalted)
more oats, not ground, if needed about 1/2 cup
.
Directions
.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, (160 degrees Celsius)
.
In a large bowl mix together the dry ingredients, the ground oats, the baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
Using the same blender you used to grind the oats, puree the bananas. (you can also just mash the bananas, either way works well.) Add the mashed or pureed bananas, the vanilla and the honey or maple syrup (if you are using it.) Mix it all together.
.
Add most of the nuts, dates (or other dried fruit) and seeds, reserving some to place on the tops of the cookies before baking, if desired. (This isn't necessary, it just highlights the ingredients, which is nice if someone beside you is eating them, they will be able to see what's inside.)
.
Now check the consistency of the batter/dough. If you used the honey, or maple syrup, you will probably need to add more oats (not ground) about 1/2 cup. (Also if you pureed the bananas, your dough will be more wet) You want it to be the consistency of soft cookie dough, not too stiff. You want to be able to scoop it onto cookie sheets and have it not spread out.
.
Scoop the cookie dough onto cookie sheets lined with parchment or a Silpat liner, using an ice cream scoop.
.
Bake for 14-18 minutes, or until done in the middle. Store in an airtight container when cool. Wrap them individually with Saran wrap and place in a Zip top bag in the freezer if you wish. They will keep in the freezer for months.

23 comments:

Lee said...

What a great idea, breakfast in a cookie, love it.

Catherine M Kage said...

Oh what a great idea. Cookies and breakfast, two of my favourite things. I'll definitely try those. I just hope I did all the unit conversions (cup to grams) correctly. Thanks for the recipe.

Jules said...

Mmm...my boyfriend has no excuses now :-)

Mickey said...

Love the name"Breakfast Cookie", right up my alley. Even better that they are made with banana-my favorite. They look great. Gotta try them.
mickey

Katie said...

Oh these look like a tasty + healthy alternative to muffins or whatever. What about adding some flax to them? Also, peanuts ... oh no! My brain is going on variations now! Thanks for the ideas!

The Alchemist said...

I love the idea of adding flax to them, peanuts would be great instead of the walnuts also.
Thanks for the input, Katie!

Lisa said...

Mmmm, dessert for breakfast. You can't beat that. I hope you'll come back and join me for Sweets for a Saturday #5.

ann said...

These look amazing. I know that I would love them.

Candice @ Made With Love said...

Yum! They sound so delicious and I love that the cookies can be breakfast on the go! :)

Allison @ Alli 'n Son said...

Yum! This sounds like a healthy and tasty way to start out your morning.

I'd like to invite you to share this recipe on Sweet Tooth Friday. The linky is open all week. http://alli-n-son.com/2011/02/17/chocolate-chip-toffee-bars/

Lauren said...

These look delicious. I love bananas and I'm often off to work early in the morning (anytime between 4-6 AM) so anything portable I can eat in the car is great!

Meg Luby said...

this looks great! winnning idea, dessert for breakfast! thanks for sharing, glad to have found your blog!
-meg
@ http://www.clutzycooking.blogspot.com
@ http://www.myscribblednotebook.blogspot.com

Jeanie said...

I have a total OBSESSION with breakfast cookies and have several posted on my blog. Thanks for one more.

The Alchemist said...

Jeanie, I would love to see your recipes, but I clicked on your name to find your blog and blogger is telling me I can't see your profile. So if you see this, I'd love to have the link to your blog!

Fallon said...

Yum!! Cookies for breakfast, I'll take that!

Tara Roberts said...

Hi, I made these yesterday (my husband and I do 1-2 vegan days per week and I am always looking for snacks.) These turned out really yummy!! I used walnuts, dried apricots, and both maple syrup and honey. Thanks for the great recipe!

The Alchemist said...

Hi Tara,I'm so glad you liked them,
thanks for letting me know!

The Lucky Wife said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mer said...

Making these for the second time this morning! Love this recipe, thanks for sharing!

shaynna said...

Mmmmm they look really yum!!!!!!! have to give them a try!
Cheers
Shaynna (SITS)

jeanne @ Inspiring Ideas said...

I'm going to try these! My kids love my banana bread, but this is a great new twist! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Sounds yummy! Going back to work after having baby # 3. This will be a great grab and go for me and the kids. Might add some protein powder or peanut butter for more protein or maybe some other fruit or veggie purees.

Jessica L. Smith said...

After being in relationship with Wilson for seven years,he broke up with me, I did everything possible to bring him back but all was in vain, I wanted him back so much because of the love I have for him, I begged him with everything, I made promises but he refused. I explained my problem to someone online and she suggested that I should contact a spell caster that could help me cast a spell to bring him back but I am the type that don’t believed in spell, I had no choice than to try it, I meant a spell caster called Dr Zuma zuk and I email him, and he told me there was no problem that everything will be okay before three days, that my ex will return to me before three days, he cast the spell and surprisingly in the second day, it was around 4pm. My ex called me, I was so surprised, I answered the call and all he said was that he was so sorry for everything that happened, that he wanted me to return to him, that he loves me so much. I was so happy and went to him, that was how we started living together happily again. Since then, I have made promise that anybody I know that have a relationship problem, I would be of help to such person by referring him or her to the only real and powerful spell caster who helped me with my own problem and who is different from all the fake ones out there. Anybody could need the help of the spell caster, his email: spiritualherbalisthealing@gmail.com or WhatsApp him +15068001647
you can email him if you need his assistance in your relationship or anything. CONTACT HIM NOW FOR SOLUTION TO ALL YOUR PROBLEMS