There is a misconception that cookies must be made with butter, lots of sugar, white flour, and eggs to be delicious. Oatmeal, date, walnut and canola oil cookies are a healthier spin on the classic oatmeal raisin cookie and prove you do not need to sacrifice flavor for nutrition.
The American Dietetic Association supports that claim that diets high in fiber and low in saturated fats can lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. It is possible to create healthy treats that are both delicious and heart healthy when including whole grains and healthy fats. Not only will these cookies satisfy your sweet tooth, they will also boost the amount of fiber and protein in your diet, satisfying your appetite as well.
Health Benefits Ingredients
Oatmeal, a whole grain, is both high in fiber and has been shown to help lower cholesterol when eaten regularly. Dates, and other fruits -- both fresh and dried -- are full of vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber that is beneficial for digestion. Walnuts and nuts such as almonds, cashews, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts contain unsaturated fats that are heart healthy. The unsaturated fatty acids in canola oil are also thought to lower the risk of heart disease when the calories are displaced in the diet. Nuts and oils are high in fat, however, and so you should eat them in moderation.
Ingredients
This recipe is adapted from Food.com. You will need: 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. fine sea salt, 1/2 cup turbinado sugar, 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, 1/3 cup chopped dates, 1/4 cup plain soy milk, 1/4 cup canola oil, 4 oz. natural applesauce, 2 tsp. molasses and 2 tbsp. maple syrup.
Method
Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment or Silpat. Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Whisk together wet ingredients in another bowl. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until the mixture is combined. Using a small scoop, place dough onto baking sheet - 12 cookies on each sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack. The recipe should make 26 cookies and the leftovers will freeze well.
Substitutions and Considerations
Baking is more of an exact science than cooking, however this recipe allows for creativity. If your favorite nut is almonds or hazelnuts, swap those in for the walnuts. Instead of dried dates, experiment with unsweetened dried cranberries, raisins, chopped figs or blueberries. If you do not have soymilk, low-fat cow's milk or almond milk would substitute well. These cookies are still a treat, but they are an alternative that contains more health benefits than the traditional oatmeal raisin cookie.
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