what's cookin' wednesday - oat cookies

it's been forever since i've done a recipe post!  i promise i have been cooking for my family.  sometimes it's just too much to photograph the process much less the finished meal when there's a demanding toddler waiting to eat.  but these cookies were so awesome that i had to make time to share.  another great pinterest find!


these pics are from valentine's day time frame (could you guess?) but i've actually made them twice more since then.  they've been pretty popular...


ingredients:
1 1/2 cups regular rolled oats
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup of almond meal
1 cup dried fruit (i used craisins)

3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

preheat oven to 350F. line baking sheet with parchment paper. 

in a large bowl, combine rolled oats, almond meal, mixed nuts and coconut flakes. stir in cinnamon. add dried fruit and stir until well and evenly mixed. make sure the dried fruit do not stick together in big batches.
in another bowl, combine canola oil, mashed banana and vanilla extract. pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until well combined. 

take a large cookie cutter and press spoonfuls of the batter into it. remove cookie cutter. bake for about 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown.


*there are lots of substitutions for allergies or preferences like applesauce instead of bananas.  or you can add chopped nuts.  have fun!