Apple-Oatmeal cookies

Looking for yet another way to use up some of those apples that are sitting, staring at you from their bags, almost taunting you from the kitchen counter (ok, at least that's what mine are doing)? An extended day field trip to the apple orchard followed by a weekend trip with the grandparents means we have apples up the wazoo. Yes, I used the word "wazoo," an awesome word that gets used too little nowadays. 

So back to the apples, as I'm sure you all know by now, I'm a baker so this is my kind of challenge. How many different ways can we cook those apples? AND how many different ways can we use them that also don't totally violate everything I'm all about with my clean eating lifestyle? THAT is the real challenge. 

I've posted my recipes for crockpot applesauce (LOVE!) and cranberry-apple-oatmeal crisp. My newest adventure? Apple-oatmeal cookies. They were a bit of an experiment but by happy chance, they turned out great. Little A. taste tested and approved too. :)

Apple-Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 
  
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, or walnuts (OPTIONAL)

• 1 cup whole-wheat flour

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, divided

• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

• 2 large egg whites

• 1/2-1 c. coarsely shredded peeled apple (I used McIntosh and was a bit generous with my apple since as I said, we have apples coming out of our ears!)

• 1/2 c. packed light brown sugar

• 1/4 c. applesauce

• 4 Tbls granulated sugar

• 2 Tbls coconut oil

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• OPTIONAL ADDITIONS: 1/2 c. chopped apples, 1/2 c. finely chopped cranberries, 1/4 c. dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray or use a silicone baking mat.
2. Mix flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, salt, 1/4 tsp cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium bowl. 
3. Combine egg whites, shredded apple, brown sugar, applesauce, 3 Tbls granulated sugar, oil and vanilla in a large bowl; stir until blended. 
4. Add the dry ingredients and stir until just moistened. 
5. Stir in whatever optional add-ins you want (chopped apples, cranberries, chocolate chips or nuts.) 
6. Drop the dough by the tablespoonful about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
7. Combine the remaining 1 Tbls granulated sugar and 1/4 tsp cinnamon in a small bowl. Coat the bottom of a glass with cooking spray. Dip the glass into the cinnamon sugar and flatten cookies with it, dipping the glass into the cinnamon sugar for each. 
8. Bake the cookies until lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Yields: 16-18 good sized cookies

 Nutritional Info: serving size 1 cookie (although I dare you to stop there!)