Every now and then your body screams at you — “I need fuel”. Something more than a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit. It wants something solid and chewy. Which is why energy bars were created in the first place.
Unfortunately, commercial energy bars are almost always filled with strange ingredients, sugar and preservatives.
My solution, of course, is to make my own. I have tried all kinds of things. I wanted a basic recipe that could be adapted to various food plans and tastes. So with out further ado, here is my latest attempt.
Energy Cookies (Makes about 36 cookies)
- Preheat the oven to 350F degrees
- Combine in a large bowl all dry ingredients
- 2 1/2 cup Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup finely ground Chia seed
- 1/2 cup unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1/3 cup Coconut Sugar
- 2 Tbs. Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 Tbs. Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- Add fruit and nuts (be creative; but here is my favorite blend):
- 3/4 cup unsweetened Dried Coconut
- 3/4 cup Chopped Pecans
- 3/4 cup unsweetened Dried Cherries
- Thoroughly mix dry ingredients with fruit and nuts
- Combine all wet ingredients:
- 3/4 c. liquid (melted if necessary) Coconut Oil
- 2 Tbs. Vanilla
- 5 beaten medium Eggs (or 1 cup unsweetened Apple Sauce)
- 1/3 cup Liquid (Milk, Unsweetened Juice or Water)
- Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Mix well
- Create cookies by placing a scoops (about equal to 1 overflowing Tablespoon) on a greased or parchment covered cookie sheet. The picture shows four cookies on a regular salad plate
- Bake 13-15 minutes
Here are some notes about making these cookies that may be helpful:
- Use organic ingredients as much as possible
- For special dietary need adjust as follows:
- Gluten free – use gluten free oats
- Vegan – use unsweetened apple sauce in place of eggs and apple juice for liquid.
- Sugar free — eliminate the coconut sugar and use White Grape Juice as the liquid
- This recipe is very forgiving and I have done a lot of experimenting. So should you! Every time I alter the recipe, I bake a couple of test cookies to make sure that I like the taste. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 tries. When I am satisfied, I bake the rest
- Each cookie has approximately 135-145 calories
So there they are – my latest attempt and an energy cookie. They are energy dense (lots of calories) but filling and one will satisfy almost any hunger. I use one as a quick pickup or two as a meal replacement.
Enjoy!