Cookies,  Dessert

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, gluten and dairy free

Happy Mother’s Day!!  I remember long ago those Mother’s Day breakfasts in bed from my two adorable children!  I remember waking to hear them rustling in the kitchen, chattering away at what they each felt I would like best.  Early on, my kids knew two things…Mom liked to eat healthy and presentation was equally important!  Carefully they would carry the tray into my room, a glass of juice or water, a toasted waffle or pancake and artfully arranged fruit. 

Whatever they presented me truly didn’t stay in my memory as much as their effort and their adorable smiling, proud faces.  They watched me carefully as I ate each bite, anticipating my sighs of delight and hoping that I choose one to be my favorite.  A sibling competition rivalry…who made the best, what part of breakfast did Mom like better and how much did she eat, or finish!  I could tell in their faces they were hungry after all their hard work, so I always made sure to share my wonderful breakfast!

The best was yet to come in their handmade cards.  No store-bought card could ever compete with those made from the heart.  My daughter, always girly and flowery, full of love and kisses.  My son, wow, what a cutie he always was (and is) created his cards thoughtfully and reserved, not displaying too much “love” but just enough to get the message across and make me smile!

That was then, and this is now.  If my 20 year old and 18 year old climbed in bed with me now carrying my breakfast tray I would certainly be taken aback!  I know if Gina could get away from school and work she’d be right there in my kitchen.  Adam, unless having to get up for work, normally doesn’t surface any early than noon time.  But it really doesn’t matter.  As I sit here typing away on Mother’s Day, I have my memories, lucky, happy memories that I will cherish forever.

I baked these cookies yesterday as a little treat for myself.  I rarely deprive myself of a decadent dessert, but I do like baking up treats that will make me feel good about eating them, i.e., less guilty.  Oat flour replaces the white flour; I purchase the oat flour but I have read that it can be made by simply processing oatmeal into a flour.  While I use agave as my preferred sweetener, raw, turbinado sugar is what I used in these cookies.  See Note below for using agave.   Applesauce is my healthy substitute to butter and  just a small amount of chocolate sweetens up these little cookies!  These are a soft, cake like cookies, best stored in the refrigerator.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Adapted from Naturally Thin

1 1/2 cup oat flour

3/4 cup oatmeal

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup raw, turbinado sugar  * Note:  Can substitute 1/4 cup agave

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (full 1/4 cup!)  (or use raisins, cranraisins or chopped nuts!)

1 teaspoon canola oil

1/3 cup almond milk

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Combine all wet ingredients in another bowl.  Add the wet to the dry and hand mix thoroughly to combine.  Using a small ice cream scoop, drop onto a parchment or Slipat lined baking sheet.  Bake for 12 minutes till lightly golden for a soft cookie, 15 minutes for a crisper cookie.  Makes about 2 dozen.

I love being in the kitchen. Early mornings, soft music, a hot espresso. Easing into the preparation of delicious meals. Glancing through cookbooks, gathering inspiration and planning my day. I look forward to the cycles of the seasons, the pleasures of tasting and savoring and sharing this with those dear to me. Weekends are special to me as my week days are often rushed, but still I create the ambiance, light the candles, set the table and uncork the wine.

19 Comments

  • Geni - Sweet and Crumby

    What a great and healthier alternative to the conventional oatmeal cookie. I’m glad I’m not the only one with a teenage boy who is a bit ambivalent about Mother’s Day. He was sweeter than pie, but card…Nada! He’s 16 and mom’s love is a given and some teenage girl’s love expressed in a text or Facebook, that is definitely a priority.

  • Mary

    I love this version of oatmeal cookies. They looks delicious and I’m not opposed to healthier versions of old favorites. I’m relatively new to your blog and don’t often comment. I just wanted you to know I’m here and that I like the food and recipes you share with your readers. You’ve created a lovely spot to spend some time and I always enjoy my visits here. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  • forgottenbeast

    Such a sweet post! I love hearing about Mother’s Day from a mom and knowing my childhood efforts were appreciated 🙂 (Oh, who am I kidding–I still make hand-made cards, I’ve just graduated to cooking dinner–and buying wine–instead of making breakfast). Moms are the best! (And those cookies look delish!)

  • The Little Spork

    Such a sweet post. This reminded me of when my older sister and I would compete to give our mom the “best” present on Mother’s day. I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s day (although with cookies as tasty-looking as those, I don’t see how it couldn’t have been a great day!)

  • yummychunklet

    What a lovely post! I don’t have children, but I have two baby nieces whose coloring scribbles adorn my refrigerator! Congratulations on your recent 100th post milestone! And, thank you for commenting on my blog. I’ve added yours to my Google Reader and look forward to reading your future posts!

  • Christy

    Happy Mother’s Day!!~ What a healthy combo for cookies to kickstart the day, and it’s just delicious looking in the pics, I am sure it tastes just as good 😀
    Isn’t it lovely to be able to give mummies a rest on the day and have the kids do the work for a change instead? To me, every day is Mother’s Day 😀

  • megi

    Hi Linda, what a sweet post, it really made me smile. My daughter is only 17 months old and had no idea it was mother’s day, we still had a lovely time though. I am definitely making these cookies sometime this week. I would like to use agave, do I just use 1/2 cup of agave instead of the turbinado sugar without making any adjustments to the dry ingredients? Thank you for sharing such a healthy and delicious looking treat.

    • spicegirlfla

      Hi Megi, gosh I so miss when my children were that little!! I do like to use agave as a substitute for alot of my baking, but I honestly have not done so with this recipe. I’m going to test it out this weekend and post an update!

      • megi

        Hi Linda, thank you for the quick reply, I am going to try it too, we have friends coming over and I know these cookies will be a hit with two toddlers and their parents of course.

      • spicegirlfla

        I just made the cookies again using Agave. I used 1/4 cup of agave as it is sweeter than sugar. My coworkers and I agree they taste just as good! They are a more “cakey” cookie, best stored in the refrigerator!

  • Juliana

    I know exactly what you mean…I just got a call from my son…and all the memories of when he was little came to me as well….the cookies look great and like the idea of oat flour in it…happy belated mother’s day and hope you are having a wonderful week Linda 🙂

  • megi

    Hi Linda, thank you for posting the agave version too, the weekend was hectic and our plans had to be changed but I planning on making these tomorrow. Thanks again!

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