It’s a new year, and a new Meal Monday. In honor of my resolution and the 30 Day No Sweets Challenge, I’m sharing a recipe for Breakfast Cookies. I know what you are thinking, ummm, don’t cookies fall under the sweets category? Well, thanks for asking, but no these do not. Let me explain why.
Inside of these tasty little cookies hides veggies, whole grains and healthy fats. Sounds delicious, right? Actually, they are pretty tasty.
The recipe was originally inspired by my little friend The Sneaky Chef
Anyway, I borrowed a few basics from the breakfast cookies recipe, but then modified it to suit my taste buds. And my crazy desire to reduce the amount of sugar in my diet.
The two recipes within this recipe are as follows. The Purple Puree and the Flour Blend. Both are very simple to make, and can be made ahead of time, and stored in the fridge or freezer.
Purple Puree is 3 cups raw spinach leaves, 1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (no sugar or syrup added) 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 to 2 tablespoons water. Just pop everything into the blender (start with 1 tablespoon of water, add more if you need it) and blend until smooth. You can have a little fun with this one, using different types of berries. Raspberries would be fantastic, of a combination of your favorite berries would work too.
Flour Blend is a simple mixture of 1 cup of each all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour and wheat germ. Wheat germ, by the way is my new favorite ingredient, so don’t be surprised if you see it pop up in many of my recipes.
On to the actual recipe, which did by the way, pass the Get Eli to Like Veggies Challenge. He chowed down on these, and has been asking for them 12-15 times a day. Too bad it only makes 18 cookies, I’ll need to stock up! He even had a blast helping out with his Curious Chef Measuring Cups
One last note, as you will notice these cookies do have cocoa powder in them. But it is unsweetened and as you can see, the recipe doesn’t have any sugar in it (I used honey for sweetness which has more health benefits than sugar and you use less honey for a comparable sweetness). And Dad-oo said it was OK. 
[singlepic id=174 w=450]
Breakfast Cookies
1 Large Egg
6 tablespoons Oil (almond, walnut or canola were suggested in the book)
4 tablespoons Honey
1/4 cup Purple Puree (see above)
1-1/4 cup Flour Blend (see above)
1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
2 tablespoons Ground Almonds (toss some raw Almonds in your food processor, pulse until they reach the desired consistency)
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
2 teaspoons Instant Coffee Granules (I used vanilla flavored, that’s what I had on hand)
1/4-1/2 cup Craisins
Preheat the oven to 350º. Spray two baking sheets with oil (or simply line with parchment paper).
[singlepic id=171 w=450]
In a large bowl whisk the egg, oil, honey, almond extract and Purple Puree. In another whisk the Flour Bend, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, ground almonds, cinnamon and coffee granules.
[singlepic id=170 w=450]
Mix the dry ingredients to the wet until just moistened. Stir in Craisins.
[singlepic id=172 w=450]
Drop large tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheets. Bake 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.
Remove from the pan and let cool on a rack.
There are so many different variations to try with these. Raisins, dates, plums or dried apples instead of craisins. Or chocolate chips. You could leave out the cocoa powder and add some apple pie or pumpkin spices. I’d love to hear how you modified the recipe!
[singlepic id=175 w=450]
This post was included in Things I Love Thursday over at The Diaper Diaries. Hop on over to see more TILT entries.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, those look delicious! I’m not much of a cook, but I do like baking and I’m always on the lookout for healthy recipes, or recipes that can be easily tweaked to be healthy. I’m looking forward to checking out all your recipes during your sugar-free kick!
.-= Katy´s last blog ..End of a Decade: Part II =-.
@Katy, They are so good. I had another one today and surprised myself by how yummy they are. I already have plans for another version of these. I’m drooling as I think about it!
What a unique recipe…they sound delicious!
.-= Muthering Heights´s last blog ..He said WHAT?!? =-.
My only problem is that I would know what is in there and I am the pickiest person in the house. Maybe I could hypnotize myself into thinking purple puree is a special type of sugar?
.-= Charlotte´s last blog ..No Longer a Young Mother of Young Children =-.
@Charlotte, You’re getting sleepy…Give the cookies a try. You really, truly can’t taste the spinach…You’re getting sleepy…The purple puree is very sweet…
I’d love to try these… But not when anyone can see what goes into them!
Wow – these look yummy. This is exactly the kind of thing I want to make for my girls! Thanks for sharing your recipe – I love playing with ingredients, so I’ll let you know what I come up with!
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Things I Love Thursday: Crazy Love =-.
@Debbie, Let me know how they turn out!
Oh these look great! My 4 year old loves to help me bake, we may have to try these. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Ashley, visiting from TILT
.-= Ashley@ Just Another Mom of 2´s last blog ..Things I Love Thursday- A peaceful breakfast =-.
@Ashley@ Just Another Mom of 2, Let me know how they go, and if you make any changes. I’m always looking for ways to modify my recipes.
Those look tasty! My husband wants Fiber One bars to help him with his New Year’s resolution, but I think I should try making some. Do you know any nutrition info for these? Thanks!
.-= K @ Prudent and Practical´s last blog ..Donating Hair to a Good Cause =-.
@K @ Prudent and Practical, I don’t, sorry. But next week I’m posting some fantastic homemade granola bars. Way better than anything I’ve ever bought in the store, including Fiber One bars. They are full of good stuff too.
These sound super yummy. I need to break out that cookbook again. Can’t wait for the granola bar recipe. Maybe next week’s TILT post? BTW, do you mind linking back and mentioning the carnival. It helps increase participants. Thanks for playing
@The Diaper Diaries, Thanks for the reminder, I liked up.
(P.S. The web site linked to your Gravatar is spelled wrong. It doesn’t take you to your blog.)