Hippy Cookies

My husband and father scoff at anything vegan, vegetarian, or just healthy in general. I tend to be a little more open minded. I will eat meat, but if I had to choose sides I would become a plant eater.

SO, when my 17 month old daughter was diagnosed with severe food allergies, I didn't look at it as a life sentence, but a challenge to find alternative recipes and healthy ways for her to broaden her culinary palet, without breaking out in hives. Two of her trigger foods are dairy and eggs, so I am trying out alot of Vegan recipes. Today, I am trying out Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies or Hippy Cookies as my husband and father would call them.

Husband thinks they look 'too healthy' and probably taste like cardboard, but my daughter is screaming for more. Case closed.

Ingredients

1 very ripe medium banana, mashed

1/3 cup canola oil

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

1/2 cup chocolate chips (vegan, if desired)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the mashed banana, sugar and oil. Stir until well combined. Add in the vanilla and salt. Stir in the flours, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon, stirring until well combined. Add in the oats, pecans and chocolate chips; stir until just combined.

Using clean, slightly damp hands (and re-wetting as needed), roll dough into balls slightly larger than a quarter. Flatten slightly with your hand. Transfer to baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.