Honey Oatmeal M&M Cookies

So if you were around Twitter Sunday night you probably saw that I was looking for a healthy/vegan cookie recipe. I’ve come to love baking on Sunday evenings. It tempers that feeling of “ugh” that creeps over when you realize you have to work the next day. Don’t get me wrong, we love our jobs and are thankful for them, however nothing is better than being home together…other than maybe being together on a tropical island or backpacking in Colorado. Anyway, back on topic. I had 1/2 bag of M&M’s leftover from Anja’s bridal brunch and didn’t want to just NOM the bag, when I could make better use of them. These cookies are delightful and healthy, perfect as a breakfast cookie or an after-workout pick-me-up. The batter is also the most heavenly smelling of any baked good I’ve ever made. There’s no award for that is there?

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tbsp lightly beaten egg (about 1 egg)
• 4 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp Applesauce
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed (or wheat germ)
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• M&M’s or raisins

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix egg, honey, applesauce and vanilla in a bowl. Mix well.
3. Combine flour, flaxseed, sesame seeds, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir very well, then add to agave mixture and stir until blended. Blend in oats and desired amount of M&M’s.
4. Scoop Tablespoonfuls of dough onto a parchment or sillicone-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes, until set and golden. Cool completely. Store in covered container.

My only irk was not thinking the batter was wet enough to take the coloring off the M&M’s. I was wrong and it made for some interesting looking cookies. We’ve nicknamed them “tie-dye” if that says anything. If I were to make these again (which I plan to), I’d manually place M&M’s on the cookies after spooning the batter onto the cookie sheet. I’d also definitely add some peanut butter, maybe 2 tablespoons or so. They are yummy though and the plate is already half-empty. Good thing they’re healthy!