Roy’s Light and Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

Makes 18 cookies 2 Better Balance Bites for 1 / 5 Bites for 2

Per cookie: Calories 97 / Fat 2.6g / Carbs 28.9g / Protein 4.3g

INGREDIENTS

· 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

· 1 scoop (30-35g) vanilla protein powder (or any flavor you like!)

· 3/4 teaspoon salt

· 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

· 4 tablespoons light butter (I used I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Light)

· 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

· 3/4 cup brown sugar replacement

· 1/2 cup granulated sugar replacement

· 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling!!!)

· 1 large egg

· 1 large egg yolk

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375ֹ° F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Whisk flour, protein powder, salt, and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, melt butter in two 30-second bursts, stirring after first one.

4. Immediately stir in cinnamon to “bloom” its flavor. Then add brown sugar replacement, granulated sugar replacement, and pumpkin puree to bowl and whisk until well combined. Add egg and yolk and vanilla and whisk until mixture is smooth.

5. Using wooden spoon or silicone spatula, stir in flour mixture until fully combined, then add in the oats (and any add-ins, if using) and stir until evenly distributed (mixture will be stiff).

6. Divide dough into 18 portions, each about 3 tablespoons (or use #24 cookie scoop). Arrange dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared sheet pans, 9 dough balls per sheet. Using a damp hand, press each ball into 2 1/2-inch disk.

7. Bake 1 sheet at a time until cookie edges are set and lightly browned and centers are still soft but not wet, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through baking.

8. Let cookies cool on sheet pan on wire rack for 5-6 minutes; then use a flat spatula to transfer cookies to wire rack and let cool completely.

Notes

· Feel free to change the flavor of the protein powder as you like. Peanut butter or caramel flavors in particular might be nice!

· You can probably swap out the pumpkin for unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana, though I haven’t tried that yet. You just may need to adjust the time for any extra moisture as pumpkin isn’t as wet.

· You can mix in any add-ins you like, but they will obviously alter the bites/points. Raisins, cranberries, dried apples, nuts, chocolate chips, etc., would make nice additions.

· You could make a larger number of smaller cookies if you would like to lower the individual bites/points. You will need to check on them sooner for doneness.

· These cookies are sturdy enough to make cookie sandwiches. Try fillings like Marshmallow Fluff (up to 1 1/2 teaspoons count for 0 bites!), powdered peanut butter, or even low-bite/point ice cream!