Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

I'm sure you've noticed I really like peanut butter, especially in baked goods.  I was thinking last night, I really need to start making some desserts without peanut butter and broaden my horizons.  So, I will try so that you can read about a couple new things, but until then I'm sticking with what I know :)  I have guilty pleasure called popsugar.com.  A friend from Milwaukee introduced me to the celebrity gossip website, and I've become addicted.  They've added more topics as time has gone by, such as "fit sugar."  It has all kinds of information on working out and healthy eating; this is where I found this cookie recipe.  I don't have a calorie count, but if you're looking for a healthier cookie, this is it.

In a medium bowl mix flour, baking soda and salt and set aside.  This was the first time I baked with whole wheat flour, and honestly I couldn't tell a difference, so it's what I've been baking with since then.

In a larger bowl, beat the oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla until fluffy.  If you wanted to substitute apple sauce for the oil you can, I just didn't have any in the house.  Another way to make this more health friendly.

Then pour the flour mixture and the oatmeal into the bowl and mix well.

This is what your dough should look like, it's pretty tasty too!

Place one inch balls on a lightly sprayed cookie sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees F.

Remove from the oven when the edges are slightly tan.  After a minute transfer cookies to a cooling rack.

While the cookies are baking prepare the "frosting."  In a bowl mash the bananas with peanut butter and honey.  Be careful with the consistency here, mine was a little runny.  I recommended mashing the peanut butter and bananas together first, then adding honey as you go, to make sure the frosting isn't turning too runny.

Make sure the cookies are completely cooled, then place a dollop of frosting on each cookie.  Enjoy!  These are unique cookies, they're not overly sweet, but when you add the peanut butter/banana/honey frosting on top it really ties everything together.  Like I said earlier, my frosting was a little runny, so when I make these again I'll be more conscious of that, but overall they turned out great.  A healthy mid-day snack that tastes peanut buttery and amazing, can't beat it!

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

Cookies:

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups quick oats

Frosting:

3 ripe bananas

3 tablespoons natural peanut butter

3 teaspoons honey

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Lightly spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.

Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside. 

In a large bowl beat the oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla until fluffy.

Pour the flour mixture and oats into the sugar bowl and mix well.

Place one inch balls of dough on cookie sheets.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Remove from the oven, let sit for a minute, then transfer to a cooling rack.

While the cookies are baking prepare the frosting.

In a medium bowl mash the bananas with the peanut butter and honey.

Once cookies are cooled completely, place a dollop of frosting on each cookie.