Roy’s Light Almond Bliss Oatmeal Cookies

12 servings      2 Better Balance Bites/Blue Points

Calories 82      Fat 2.5g   Sat. Fat 1.3g   Protein 3g   Carbs 24.8g   Fiber 2.8g   Sugars 1.4g                     

Ingredients

· 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

· 3/4 cup brown sugar replacement (see notes)

· 1/2 tsp almond extract

· 1/4 tsp coconut or vanilla extract (see notes)

· 1/4 tsp salt

· 2 cups old-fashioned oats (see notes)

· 3 large egg whites

· 1/4 cup shredded coconut, chopped (see notes)

· 1/4 cup sugar-free chocolate chips, chopped (see notes)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or coat it with cooking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar replacement, almond and coconut extracts, and salt. Stir in the oats and set aside to allow the oats to absorb some moisture.

3. In another bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. This means that when you pull the beaters out of the egg whites, they maintain peaks without flopping over.

4. Stir the coconut and chocolate chips into the oatmeal. Then stir in 1/3 of the whipped egg whites to loosen the dough. Gently fold in another 1/3 of the whites and, when almost fully incorporated, fold in the remaining whites until no whites are visible.

5. Using a #24 scoop or about 3 Tbsp, place cookies about 2” apart on the prepared baking sheet. With slightly dampened hands, flatten the cookies slightly until about 1/2” high.

6. Bake for 16-20 minutes, until the top is dry and firm, and edges begin to brown. Remove from oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

· Granulated sugar replacement can be substituted if you don’t have the brown.

· Coconut extract enhances the coconut flavor. Using vanilla will dull it slightly.

· You can probably use quick-cooking oats in place of old-fashioned, but don’t use instant!

· Chopping the coconut and chocolate chips helps them spread throughout the dough, but you could make these without doing so.

· Change up the add-ins if you want different flavors! Chopped nuts and dried fruit, grated apple and chopped nuts, dried cranberries and white chocolate chips are all options, but do whatever combination you’d like.