[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Because… Cookies!

I love cookies. I love the combinations of flavors, and the grab and go aspect of them. Post practice, I am often looking for a salty/ sweet snack. And, honestly, I do not have a ton of time to make food. Either it needs to be ready to go, or easily portable- because I am off to teach! That being said, I don’t like cookies that are SO sugary. And they need to have some protein and fiber to refuel my body. So I turned to a favorite- peanut butter cookies, for inspiration!

I started with a peanut butter oatmeal cookie recipe I had and looked to update it. I reduced the amount of white sugar by half, and brown sugar by 20%. I used gluten free oats, and omitted the flour. Instead of chocolate chips, I swapped in cacao nibs. And for the raisins, I used dried cranberries. A few test recipes later, and I was very excited to produce cookies that were sweet, but not too sweet, chewy and satisfying![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4410″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Ingredients

• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1/2 Cup white sugar
• 1 Cup light brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 12 oz. chunky peanut butter (natural peanut butter, no sugar added, or fresh ground)
• 4 1/2 Cup (GF) oats
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 Cup cranberries, chopped fine
• 1/2 Cup Cacao nibs

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]How To

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time to blend. Add vanilla and peanut butter and blend well.

Combine dry ingredients- oats, salt and baking soda. Slowly add to wet ingredients. Add cranberries and cacao nibs and stir to combine.

Use a small cookie scoop and drop by 2 tsp amounts on prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 10-12 min. Let cookies cool on sheet pan for 5 min and transfer to wire racks to cool.

Delicious warm out of the oven or post practice!

Yields about 5 dozen cookies.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4412″][/vc_column][/vc_row]