Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Sweetness without sugar. This has been my challenge. Like many of my recipes this one was inspired by an actual recipe (from "Vegan Lunch Box" by Jennifer McCann). I have made these cookies several times now and each time they turn out completely different. Probably because I do a few substitutions. This time however, I have strayed so far from the original that other than the banana and oats there are no ingredients the same. What they do have in common is what they are missing - sugar.

- 1 cup spelt flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup ground flax
- 3/4 tsp baking powder (aluminum free of course)
- 2 very ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup prunes
- 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350. Mix flour, baking powder, flax, and oats in a large bowl. Puree the bananas and prunes (the prunes are better if you soak them before). Mix the pureed banana and prune into the dry ingredients, then add the apricots and walnuts. Roll the dough into balls and squish flat (I made them pretty thick) and put on a cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.

Summer loved helping me, although she got more cookie dough in her mouth and on her face than on the cookie sheet.