Peanut Butter-Banana Breakfast Cookies

The other night I was searching the internet for "heart-healthy" desserts. My husband's blood pressure has been a little high lately, so I'm trying to cut back on the high-fat sweets that I love to fix and, of course, eat in order to help him. Poor guy just can't say no to a cookie. It's my fault, I know.

But I came across a recipe for Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies that looked super easy to fix and sounded pretty good despite not having any sugar or butter. So, I gave it a whirl, and they were delicious! My oldest daughter and I loved them! They are really easy to make, super moist, very flavorful, and with 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per cookie, I didn't feel too bad eating them.

If you like banana, peanut butter, and cinnamon like my daughter and me, then you will LOVE this breakfast treat. The husband ate it silently {Translation: "It's edible but not something I will ever eat again."} Silence is so revealing. :)

Ingredients

1 large ripe banana (1/2 cup mashed)
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter (I used organic, no added salt or sugar)
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional)(I left these out.)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease two baking sheets; set aside.
• In a large bowl, stir together mashed banana, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla.

• In a small bowl, combine oats, flour, dry milk, cinnamon, and baking soda.

• Stir the oat mixture into the banana mixture until combined, and add cranberries or raisins if desired.

• Using a 1/4-cup measuring cup, drop mounds of dough about three inches apart on baking sheets.

• With a small spatula dipped in water, press down each mound to about 1/2-inch thick. Just guesstimate.

• Bake for 14-16 minutes until browned.
  

• Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

• Store in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

With my oldest starting back to preschool next week, these would be really quick and easy for breakfast on-the-go.

What would be really yummy would be to add some mini chocolate chips; however, that would defeat the purpose of "heart-healthy" eating, I know. Maybe every now and then! :)

What are some "heart-healthy" snacks you fix for your family?