bakery hack: smart cookies

One of my favorite cookies is the Power Cookie sold at Capers Markets around town. It's freaking delicious and it's filled with all kinds of nuts and seeds and other good things. After devouring one quickly on the street, I decided to head home and see if I could recreate the cookie on my own. It turned out I did a pretty good job hacking out what I thought went into each bite. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo, as I made these cookies as a gift and mailed them out before I had a chance to start snapping. I hope my drawing of these 100% vegan treats will convince you that this recipe really is fantastic!

The cookies are filling and with all of that good stuff crammed in, I certainly wouldn't be adverse to calling these a breakfast cookie! While the ingredient list is long, these are simple to put together and they bake up really well too. If you don't have applesauce on hand, but you do have an apple, just make your own sauce. One large apple should do it.

These cookies aren't cakey or crisp but they are definitely chewy and hearty. Don't worry about the chocolate messing up your healthy eating plans, cuz after all, isn't chocolate good for you? I think so.

smart cookies
1 c whole wheat flour
1 1/2 c rolled oats
1/2 c oat bran
1 c raisins
1/2 c coconut
3/4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c walnuts, broken
1/2 c sesame seeds
1/4 c flax seeds
1/2 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon
1 large pinch each nutmeg + cardamom
1 t vanilla
1/2 c applesauce
1/2 c maple syrup
1/2 c brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix up everything from the flour on down to the nutmeg/cardamom. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Add the dry to the wet and mix well.

Roll a tablespoon of the mixture into your hand and then flatten. Place on a silpat covered cookie sheet and bake for 14 minutes or until the tops feel dry. Let rest on cookie sheet for 3 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in a covered tin.