Are you craving the warm, comforting goodness of oatmeal cookies but want to make a healthier, lighter version? This recipe for oatmeal cookies without butter is your answer! Forget those heavy, greasy cookies; these are delightfully chewy, bursting with flavor, and surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for a quick dessert, a healthy snack, or even a delightful addition to your lunchbox, these cookies are a fantastic addition to your repertoire of easy recipes and healthy meals. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned or quick-cooking)
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup raisins (or other dried fruit, chocolate chips, or nuts – get creative!)
Instructions:
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the spices and leavening agent.
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Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Mix well until fully combined.
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Combine Wet and Dry: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
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Add Mix-ins: Stir in your choice of raisins, chocolate chips, nuts, or any other desired mix-ins.
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Scoop & Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
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Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are slightly soft. Keep a close eye on them as ovens vary.
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Cool & Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from becoming soggy.
Tips for the Best Oatmeal Cookies:
- Use fresh baking soda: Old baking soda loses its potency, impacting the rise of your cookies.
- Don't overbake: Slightly underbaked cookies will be chewier; overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly.
- Experiment with flavors: Feel free to add different spices like ginger or cardamom, or incorporate different types of dried fruit or nuts.
Variations:
- Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips for a decadent twist.
- Spiced Oatmeal Cookies: Increase the cinnamon and add a pinch of ginger or cloves for a warm, comforting flavor.
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies: Stir in ¼ cup of peanut butter along with the wet ingredients for added nutty flavor and richness.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 100-120
- Fat: Approximately 3-4g
- Sugar: Approximately 6-8g
This recipe provides a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional butter-laden oatmeal cookies. These cookies are perfect for those seeking quick dinner ideas or simple homemade cooking solutions, and are a great way to incorporate healthy meals into your diet. Enjoy!