Healthier No Bake Cookies

No bake cookies are one of my favorite desserts. The combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and oats is amazing. When I saw this pin on Pinterest for a healthier no bake cookie I had to try it.

Healthier No Bake Cookies (Makes 24-36 cookies)

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup vanilla soymilk*
• 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter*
• a pinch of salt
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups old fashioned oats*

*Substituted from original recipe.

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients excluding oats and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir often with a wooden ladle.
2. Boil for one minute. Remove from heat.
3. Add oats and vanilla extract. Stir well.
4. Cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir often.
5. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let cool to room temperature.

You may not like the healthier version if you're expecting the same taste and texture as regular no bake cookies. The hint of banana distracts from the chocolate and peanut butter. Maybe they should be renamed Banana No Bake Cookies.

You can see my substitutions are asterisked. I did not have instant oats so I used old fashioned oats. Old fashioned oats take longer to cook so I heated the mixture for about two minutes after I mixed them in. I also replaced creamy peanut butter with crunchy peanut butter (which is always a treat).

The healthier no bake cookies are certainly interesting. I will continue to tweak the recipe. Let me know if you have any suggestions!