Tropical Oatmeal & Sunflower Carob Cookies

Exotic and Healthy Desserts for Every Sweet-Tooth

© Heidi Griffin

Oct 29, 2009

Aside from being fun and delicious, these cookies are nutritious too!

Oats are a good source of protein and contain vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium.

According to the American Cancer Society, oats are also a great source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber fights cancer and insoluble fiber reduced bad (LDL) cholesterol, but not the good (HDL) cholesterol.

Soluble fiber also slows down starch digestion, which can help avoid a sudden rise in bloodsugar that can be common when eating a sweet snack.

The substitution of agave nectar for white refined sugar, gives the recipe a much lower glycemic index and allows for a low or slow-carb diet.

Sunflower seeds are high ain protein and supply significant amounts of vitamin E, magnesium and selenium.

Sunflower seeds also contain Phytosterols, which are believed to lower cholesterol.

Tropical Oatmeal Cookies Ingredients

• 3 cups Oats
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup agave nectar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons orange extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup dried pineapple or mango (or mixed)
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup macadamia nuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine coconut milk, egg, softened butter, agave nectar brown sugar and orange extract in mixing bowl and blend until smooth.
3. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt.
4. When wet ingredients are thoroughly blended, add the dry ingredients gradually, until all is blended.
5. Add shredded coconut.
6. Slowly stir in 3 cups oats.
7. Gently stir in dried mango or papaya and macadamia nuts.
8. Scoop dough in uniform spoon sized globs and place on lightly greased cookie sheet.
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes, depending on altitude and desired texture.
10. Enjoy!

Sunflower Carob Oatmeal Cookies Ingredients

• 1 cup sweetened carob chips
• 1 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 1/2 cups agave nectar
• 1 cup sunflower butter
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine 1 cup vegetable shortening, 1 egg and 1 1/2 cups agave nectar in mixing bowl. Blend.
3. Add 1 cup sunflower butter and continue blending.
4. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients- 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in mixer and continue to blend until smooth.
6. Remove bowl from mixer and stir in the 1 cup oats.
7. Stir in 1 cup sweetened carob chips.
8. Scoop out spoon-sized globs of dough and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
9. Bake on 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes, depending on altitude and desired crispness.
10. Enjoy!

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