Peanut butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

When my kids take a walk through the kitchen looking for a snack, the first place they look is the domed cake plate on the kitchen table. They know that it is never empty and always has something fresh and homemade and usually sweet on it. I love that feeling and although snacks are great, and sweets are yummy, I always try my best to make healthy choices without compromising on flavor.

These cookies are a favorite in our house. I love knowing that my kids are getting organic oats, and all natural peanut butter in every bite. So they can skip the oatmeal for breakfast, and Pb&J for lunch if they have one of these cookies...ha! Ok I won't go that far, but if I'm going to give them a cookie, this is a smart one to give. :)

I make most of ourb treats homemade because it ensures that I know what ingredients my family is eating, and also knowing they are fresh and without any unnatural preservatives. I always use the Peanut Butter Companys, "The Bees Knees" any and every time I need peanut butter. It's all natural and has a blend of honey in it that makes this Peanut Butter THE BEST! My kids have eaten this their entire little childhood, even on a Peanut butter & Jelly sandwich.
The Peanut Butter & Co. has several different flavors, one of which is Dark Chocolate Dreams, O.M.G. is it amazing! In baked goods, it's a dream...or by the spoonful...don't judge. :)   Look in your local grocery store, I'm sure it's there, you will be glad you grabbed a jar, or two, or three!

So back to the cookies....


These have a great texture, they are light, fluffy, and tender. The oats give them a slightly crumbly texture, and the peanut butter just melts in your mouth! It's a perfect afternoon snack and quick, which is always key! :)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup or 1 stick of softened, Not melted,  unsalted butter (I use Greenwise organic or Vital Farms)
1/2 cup of the Bee's Knees or a good quality peanut butter
1/3 cup of granulated sugar (organic unrefined if possible)
1/3 cup of packed organic light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of Nielsen Massey pure vanilla extract
1 organic egg
1 cup of King Arthur Organic All Purpose Flour (or equivalent AP flour)
3/4 cup of Bob's Red Mill Whole Rolled Oats (Or whole rolled oats, not quick oats)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2-3/4 cup of semisweet organic chips (or as much chips as you prefer)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F, rack in the middle of the oven. Cream the butter, Bee's Knees, and sugars in your mixing bowl. Add the egg until incorporated, followed by the vanilla. Add the baking soda and mix, then add the flour and mix just until incorporated. Finally fold in the oats and chocolate chips by hand. Drop on ungreased cookie sheet by the spoon full or I used a 2" cookie scoop. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through. Makes about 15 cookies.

Nutrition:
1 cookie is approximately = 230 calories/12g fat/3grams protein