Breakfast Cookies

Sweet breakfasts go down in history as one of my favorite things. Nutella French Toast, Strawberry Crepes - I don't know when somebody snagged these items from the dessert menu and placed them on the breakfast menu, but I salute that somebody.

Here is a breakfast that is not only a cookie, but a hearty and healthy one! It is loaded with oats, fruits and nuts, to create a homemade granola quality that is fresh and filling.

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. coarse salt
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 TBSP vanilla extract
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup pecans
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup dried mango

Cream butter and sugar. And eggs and vanilla and mix thoroughly. Slowly add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix in oats, pecans, coconut, cranberries and mango. Drop into heaping spoonfuls onto baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes 16 cookies.

Now when I said "healthy" I used the term rather loosely. They are healthy in the sense that they have a good deal of nutrients, but they also have a good deal of butter. To create an even healthier version, I replaced half of the butter with applesauce and it wasn't half bad! Obviously not as buttery and crispy (it makes them a little more cake-like) but still tasty. And I did in fact eat one for breakfast with a glass of milk and felt quite good about it.

Recipe adapted from Red Barn Bakery