So, you are trying to eat healthier but all you can think about is a cookie. Who hasn’t?They are everywhere! On TV, in magazines, on billboards, grocery stores, bakeries and even your children’s books. (Hello Cookie Monster)Cookies, cookies, cookies!!!! It’s as if you were hypnotized to think about cookies all day! There is no escape. GRRRRRR!

So what’s a person to do? You have these cravings but you do not want to sabotage the hard work you did at the gym. Well, I have a tasty COOKIE recipe that is also healthy-er. You may be thinking right now, a healthier cookie, YUCK! Most healthier cookies are dry and taste like wallpaper paste. But, before you roll your eyes, read on and give these delicious rounds of sinful goodness a try. Not only are they moist AND delicious, they do not contain any refined sugar,( for people with diabetes) egg or flour, and they are vegan, gluten-free, sugar free and I’ll say it again, DELISH_I_OSO!

They get their sweetness from ripe bananas, (you know the bananas that you would normally look at with the black spots and be totally grossed out by) and the cranberries. You may substitute raisins or any other dried fruit you prefer. I just had dried cranberries on hand so I used them. I like to toss them into my salads for a sweet and pleasant surprise. But make sure you soak your dried fruit in a cup with warm water for about 20 minutes to soften them up. Just add enough water to just cover them, then drain all of the liquid. You may also add in your favorite nut or even cacao nibs (for the chocolate fans) Or you can just make these with only 2 ingredients-Hello easy! Oatmeal and bananas. Now how easy is that?

Okay- so to start, get all of your ingredients ready. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. And let’s get started!

See my yucky bananas? You may use bananas that are even more ripe. The riper the banana the sweeter the cookie. That’s for the people that forgot they bought some bananas and now they look  like some black crescent thing in the fruit bowl. It’s okay, you can still use them. Also make sure to use rolled oats and not instant. You may also used gluten free rolled oats.

Take  a medium bowl, peel the bananas (obviously) and mash them up with a fork until they become a thick liquid.

Next, add in the oatmeal and mix to combine. Then allow this to set for about 5 minutes. Let them become friends.

Then add in the vanilla extract. Now if you are allergic to vanilla (I feel bad for you if you are) omit, obviously. You can add in coconut or almond extract instead. Add in a pinch of salt. The salt actually enhances all of the flavors, so add it in. Then add in the drained, dried fruit. Make sure all of the ingredients are combined well.

Take a cookie sheet lined with either parchment paper or a silpat and scoop out the mix either by using a 2 inch diameter wide cookie scoop or a tablespoon onto the prepared cookie sheet.

This will make 8 delicious, healthier cookies. As you can see. Pop the tray into the oven for a total of 15 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through baking. Place onto a cooling rack for 5 minutes and then removing the cookies onto the cooling rack to cool completely.

Now, all that’s left to do is -EAT THE COOKIES!!!!!!! And as always, Enjoy!