My Dad loved my oatmeal cookies. In fact, they’re one of our family favorites when it comes to having a “sort of healthy” treat. Afterall, they’re oatmeal right? Well, that doesn’t exactly make them the healthiest food around. But since they’re so delicious, I have looked for ways to make them “healthier.”
First, I switched up the shortening with butter. Then, instead of using white sugar, I used part honey and raw sugar. I also changed from using white flour to using whole wheat flour. Finally, since I wasn’t real fond of raisins, I tried adding berries instead.
The result was a delicious cookie I could feel good about eating. With the increased health benefits of the new recipe, I could now count these cookies as the 20% side of my 80/20 rule.
- 2 sticks butter softened (can substitute coconut oil)
- 1/2 cup raw sugar
- 1/4 cup honey (preferably unfiltered & unrefined)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 lrg eggs (preferably cage free)
- 3 cups oatmeal I use one minute
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt (preferably sea salt)
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup english walnuts chopped fine
- 2 cups berries (raspberries or blueberries)
- In a medium bowl combine the first six ingredients and beat until smooth.
- Set aside to let stand so the raw sugar can be absorbed and made moist.
- In another bowl combine the dry ingredients (except walnuts and berries).
- Stir flour mixture into the wet ingredients.
- Stir in nuts. (If your children do not like nuts, I suggest grinding the nuts. They'll never notice they're in the cookies and they'll still get the health benefits of omega 3s.)
- If making both blueberry and raspberry cookies from one batch, divide dough in half and add desired amount of blueberries to one half and raspberries to other half. If making them with just one type of berry add all the berries to the dough.
- Drop by a tsp or Tbsp (depending on the size you want) onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 375 for 7 - 9 minutes.
- Sink your teeth into this deliciousness - but don't eat the whole batch. Save some for the family.
God-given health benefits I enjoy from these delicious ingredients:
Butter: may act as an anti-inflammatory, reduced risk of heart disease, improve immune system, aid brain development, and reduce blood pressure.
Honey: contains antioxidants which may help prevent cancer and heart disease, may act as a antifungal and antibacterial agent, and provide energy.
Maple Syrup: lower on the glycemic index than most sweeteners, contains antioxidants, and may help fight inflammation and heart disease.
Eggs: contain Omega 3s, lutein for eye health which may reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, and may help to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol.
Oatmeal: may lower the risk of "bad" cholesterol for heart health, prevent constipation, reduce risk of colon cancer.
Whole wheat flour: may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, lessen inflammation, prevent gallstones, and protect against breast cancer and heart disease.
Allspice: may act as a pain reliever, boost the immune system, fight fungal infections, lower blood pressure, and act as an antibacterial agent.
Cinnamon: may help lower blood sugar levels, act as an anti-inflammatory agent, cut risk of heart disease, and protect against various brain diseases like Alzheimer's.
Walnuts: may decrease cholesterol, omega-3 fatty acids for brain and heart health, and may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Blueberries, Blackberries and Raspberries: contain the highest antioxidant level of any berry which may fight certain cancers, fight aging, aid in heart and bladder health and memory.
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