Another healthy cookie?

A friend of mine put me on a mission. I love it, a challenge. She tells me "my sister has a great quinoa cookie recipe, made without eggs, and with bananas, but she won't share it"... Consider it done! The rules; no eggs, no peanuts, no funky ingredients that wouldn't already be in the pantry. I thought no problem, then I quickly realized that most recipes not only had eggs, but quinoa flour. Not in the rules. So after taking bits and pieces from several different recipes I think I came up with something pretty good. Please note, these are not "I had a bad day I need something sweet" kind of cookie. These are premeditate cookies.

Without further ado,  Here to you Brenda (and anyone else who might want to try!)

Cook 1/2 cup of quinoa in water and a pinch of cinnamon. (don't over cook it will be too mushy, don't under cook you'll end up with little crunchy things in your cookies). Let cool

In a food processor I combined 2 bananas, 1/2 cup of butter, 3/4 cup of brown sugar and a splash of vanilla. Puree, it will be smooth and velvety.

Place it in a bowl and add 1 1/2cups of flour (whole wheat if you are feeling extra healthy), 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of baking powder, and 1/2 tsp of baking soda.

Stir to combine, try not to over mix or the cookies will be tough.

Add in 1 cup of cooked quinoa, 1 cup of oats, 1 cup of add ins (like chocolate chips, cranberries etc..)

Bake at 375 for about 11-12 minutes.

Enjoy!

Imitation is the best form of flattery

Isn't that what they say? Imitation is the best form of flattery. That's what I have for you today.

This is pretty much a copy cat of something I saw on Cookies and Cups, called Chocolate Chip Magic Bars. Which essentially is just a variation of the old favourite Eagle Brand Magic Chocolate Bar.

The only difference is that I made my cookie base from scratch instead of from Pilsbury. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I had several reasons for this. 1- my grandma is still not doing great and I needed some baking therapy. 2- I am sick and my hubby packed up the 3 oldest kids and brought them to my in-laws (2 hrs away) for them and my sister & brother -in law to take care of. 3- My Sister in law is allergic to eggs, so I had to make it from scratch. It wouldn't be a token of gratitude if she just had to watch my brother in law eat it in front of her... trust me he would.

Ok so really you are getting a 2 for 1 with this post. A favourite Egg free chocolate chip cookie recipe (which can easily be made vegan) and a yummy Chocolate Chip Magic Bars recipe.

Without further blabbing here goes:

In your food processor combine 2/3cups of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of butter (or vegan magarine like Earth Balance), a splash of vanilla, and one apple peeled and chopped.

Blend until well combined.

Remove it from the food processor and place it in a bowl.
Stir in 1/2cups of flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp of salt.

Once combined stir in your chocolate chips (or carob chips for all you vegans)

I spread this in an 8X11 tray that was lined with parchment paper. Bake it for about 10 minutes at 350.
(If you are making cookies drop tablespoons about 1 inch apart and bake for about 14 minutes at 350)

After 10 minutes I pulled it out and topped it with what ever open bags of goodness I had in my baking pantry, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, skor bits, and coconut. Topped that with some sweetened condensed milk, and back in the oven for about another 15-20 minutes.

Let cool completely before trying to slice.

ENJOY!