I’ve recently started to explore the idea of cutting refined sugar out of my family’s diet. We don’t eat a lot of sugar, but it’s still there. Frankly, my husband has already gone down this road and simply avoids sweet treats now, including the ones that I bake! Hmph!
Cleaner Eating
My first foray into this world was with a recipe that I found on Pinterest. Check out my Cleaner Eating Board here.
I chose to start this journey with Skinny Chunky Monkey Cookies. This a simple recipe that uses oats instead of flour and fruit instead of refined sugar. There are actually quite a few variations of this recipe to be found. I liked this one because it used apple sauce and I have a ton of that on hand! You can see the original recipe here.
Skinny Chunky Monkey Cookies
Here’s a reprint of the recipe. I followed it to the letter with no modifications.
3 ripe bananas
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mash bananas in a large bowl, then stir in remaining ingredients. Let batter stand for approximately 20 minutes, then drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes.
Freezing Directions:
Cool completely, then place cookies in a freezer bag. Seal, label, and freeze.
These were so simple to make. I actually made them while holding my 9 month-old son on my hip. (He refused to be put down that particular afternoon!)
The raw batter looked like this.
The baked cookies looked pretty similar! They taste like chocolate covered bananas. Frozen, they remind me of an ice cream treat. My hubby loves them. This recipe is a keeper!
October 8, 2013 at 4:42 pm
OMG! I sooo wanna try these!!!
xoxo
Novelstyle
October 9, 2013 at 7:52 am
They’re so easy to make. I hope you try them!
October 10, 2013 at 11:22 am
I’ve a feeling my kids will love these! 🙂
October 10, 2013 at 2:05 pm
Oh ya…they’re definitely kid friendly!
October 29, 2013 at 9:03 pm
the ingredients is so simple, would like to try this on my weekend, aaahh, im drooling :9
October 29, 2013 at 11:22 pm
They are so easy to make!
October 30, 2013 at 1:12 am
Can I substitute creamy peanut butter with something else? And can I purchased the unsweetened applesauce from the stores or do I have to whip it up from scratch?
October 30, 2013 at 4:24 pm
Absolutely! I used almond butter instead of peanut butter. And you could certainly use unsweetened apple sauce that you buy at the store.
October 30, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Oh god…they look so delicious!! MHHHM! ❤ great idea! send me a few please :PP
October 30, 2013 at 4:23 pm
They’re so easy to make! Give them a try!
October 31, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Wow!!! i’m badly badly jealous of your begin skills! 😀
October 31, 2013 at 1:44 pm
LOL! Thanks!
October 31, 2013 at 6:36 pm
Ohh would love to try these! If only I have utensils to use 😦
October 31, 2013 at 7:39 pm
They are so yummy!
November 1, 2013 at 4:14 pm
I’m pretty sure that those are super delish! I will definitely give them a try. 🙂
November 2, 2013 at 10:01 pm
I hope you enjoy them!
November 2, 2013 at 5:40 am
Wow! You never fail me to get hungry to these photos! It looks really yummy! I think I have to buy an oven soon! 🙂
GiG
November 2, 2013 at 10:01 pm
Yup – you’ll definitely need an oven for these ones!
November 2, 2013 at 10:52 am
You are going to be the DEATH of me! 🙂 I always want to make everything you post. These look amazing, I can’t wait to try out this recipe over the weekend.
November 2, 2013 at 10:53 am
GIGLove
November 2, 2013 at 10:02 pm
It would be a great birthday weekend treat! Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend!
November 2, 2013 at 2:23 pm
I just showed this post to Mark; he promised to bake me some tomorrow 🙂
Happy me!
GiG
November 2, 2013 at 10:02 pm
Awesome! You get to try them and you don’t have to lift a finger! You rock!
November 3, 2013 at 5:17 am
it look so delicious! gig
November 3, 2013 at 7:30 am
Thanks!
November 3, 2013 at 11:07 am
Looks really yummy! I try to cut back on the sugar too, it´s hard!
November 3, 2013 at 11:08 am
It’s really hard, isn’t it? These cookies make it a wee bit easier!
November 4, 2013 at 12:10 am
OMG!! It looks so yummy!! I wanna eat it!!
November 4, 2013 at 7:55 am
Thank you!
November 4, 2013 at 12:26 am
Such a simple recipe, and it looks so sinful! =D I dont need the extra calories! =)
November 4, 2013 at 7:55 am
That’s the beauty of these … They aren’t terribly big calories!
November 4, 2013 at 12:45 am
what more can you ask for if you have chocolates and less sugar 😀
November 4, 2013 at 7:55 am
I agree!
November 4, 2013 at 1:44 am
They look so yumm Alia!!
November 4, 2013 at 7:56 am
Thanks!
November 4, 2013 at 4:33 am
here you go! another awesome post! 😀 I am feeling hungry ! 😀
November 4, 2013 at 7:56 am
Thank you!
November 4, 2013 at 5:40 am
I love the combination of chocolate and banana! This looks super delicious!
November 4, 2013 at 7:56 am
You can never go wrong with chocolate and banana!
November 4, 2013 at 7:56 am
Love itttt! gonna try it out one day 😀
November 4, 2013 at 7:57 am
I hope you do! Enjoy!
November 4, 2013 at 9:10 am
i want tot try this as i do have sweet cravings especially since im clean eating lol
yukluistyle
November 4, 2013 at 10:05 am
It’s perfect for a clean eating diet
November 4, 2013 at 1:04 pm
*Drools(
They surely do looks yummy ❤
November 4, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Thank you!
November 4, 2013 at 5:00 pm
This looks so YUMMY! I have to try this recipe. Thank you. GIG
November 4, 2013 at 5:12 pm
My pleasure!
November 4, 2013 at 7:38 pm
I’m so giving this a try! 😀
November 4, 2013 at 7:44 pm
Awesome! I hope you enjoy them!
November 5, 2013 at 12:14 am
all over this recipe 😉 thanks Alia!! ❤
November 5, 2013 at 12:17 am
My pleasure, Nina!