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These quick and easy-to-make cookies more than satisfied our nutritionists, along with the sweet tooths of our tasters. Something for everyone! Elena sent us her recipe to test, saying that she loves to make healthy food for her family and bakes these cookies for her son, who loves them! Her recipe was right on the mark; we added a bit of cinnamon and everything else stayed the same.
Check out the full recipe for Cinnamon-Walnut Oatmeal Cookies.
Speaking of “everything else,” there’s a secret ingredient in these cookies. We received lots of positive feedback on our Secret Ingredient Flourless Brownies, which call for black beans. So we are hopeful that you’ll once again try something new and different: prunes. Yep, one cup of chopped prunes goes into this cookie recipe. As they bake, the prunes don’t stand out as a separate flavor but instead add moistness, texture and natural sweetening. And don’t forget fiber, potassium and vitamin A! Prunes are a powerhouse secret ingredient. Some of our tasters didn’t know the cookies had prunes and never suspected (until we told them… or maybe we never told them… we don’t remember!).
Additionally, these cookies upgrade your standard fare with:
- Walnuts – are packed with omega-3 essential fatty acids, important for supporting healthy brain and nervous system function. They also provide dietary fiber and manganese.
- Whole wheat pastry flour (instead of processed white flour) – made from whole grain wheat, this is a very good source of dietary fiber and manganese, along with some magnesium too.
- Unsweetened applesauce – a naturally fat-free substitute for some of the butter or oil called for in similar recipes.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats – this whole grain ingredient makes all oatmeal cookies a good choice for added protein, soluble fiber, vitamin B1, manganese, selenium, magnesium and phosphorus.
Do you have a favorite recipe using prunes or another secret ingredient? I’d love to hear about it. Please let us know in the comments below. Did you miss the link for the full recipe? Here is the complete Cinnamon-Walnut Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
Got a recipe that needs a natural makeover? Post it in the comments section below! If we select your recipe for a healthy makeover and publish the improved version on our website, we’ll send you a $25 Whole Foods Market gift card.
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Gluten free pie
September 9th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Chicken Pie!! I live in the South and love chicken pie, but it is so unhealthy!
September 9th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
One thing I haven’t been able to find a healthy substitute for is crescent rolls in a can. My husband’s “I could eat this every day” meal is what we call “chicken puffs.” These consist of chicken breasts mixed with cream cheese (low-fat), onions, peas, and spices. I’ve tried to make the filling as healthy as I can, but those darn crescent rolls make this a meal I don’t feel completely comfortable serving.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:53 am
I would love to see a healthier version of chocolate chip oatmeal quick bread, it’s one of our favorites!
September 10th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Chicken pot pie is my favorite comfort food. It’s rich, creamy, yet sinful (chock-full of fat and calories). Here is my recipe. Is there some way to lighten it up?
1 cup cooked chicken
10 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
1 small potato, cooked & diced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup Bisquick baking mix
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
Melt butter in a medium size saucepan. Add flour and cook over medium heat, about five minutes. Add chicken broth and heat until mixture just begins to boil. Reduce heat; add chicken, potato and mixed vegetables until heated through. Pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Combine Bisquick, milk, and egg; pour over chicken mixture.
Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes or until golden.
Serving Size: 4
September 17th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I like quesadilla. It’s easy to make, delicious, and satisfying. However sometimes it can be very calorie-dense. Can you give me a light and healthy version?
September 19th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
With apple season here, it’s hard not to crave homemade apple pie, but all the fat and calories, for example, butter, shortening and lard that help make a flaky and tasty pie crust, can help pack on the pounds over winter. Can you suggest some lighter and healthier options?
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:28 pm