Hearty Bites

My toddler does not like to eat many different fruits and vegetables, but of course loves to eat cookies. I wanted to make a sugar free cookie that would contain some sort of fruit and vegetable. I included ingredients that she would not eat otherwise, such as apples and carrots. I would have probably added shredded zucchini as well, but I did not have any at the time. The cookies turned out very soft and moist, with a little bit of natural sweetness from the molasses, carrot and apple, they were great! She loved them and I don't have to feel bad about letting her eat cookies!

Here is the sugar free cookie recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup molasses

1 egg

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup finely chopped nuts, any kind (I used a mixture of almonds, pecans and cashews)

1 medium carrot, shredded

1 medium apple, shredded

Instructions:

In a bowl, mix together the flours, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.

Cream the butter until it is soft and fluffy.

Add the molasses and beat until mixed together.

Add the egg and vanilla, beat until mixed.

Add the flour mixture and mix until blended.

Stir in the oats, nuts, carrot and apple.

Drop by teaspoonfuls, 1-2 inches apart onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 16 minutes.

Makes about 3 dozen bite sized cookies.

*I used a mini heart shaped cookie cutter to cut the cookies into shapes after they cooled off, but it is not necessary to do so. It simply makes it more fun to eat these delicious, yet healthy cookies.