This heart-healthy version of everyone’s favorite cookie is low in cholesterol and high in omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts and canola oil replace the usual eggs and butter, and oats and whole-wheat flour provide the whole grain. It’s a recipe you can indulge in occasionally without guilt (and a little dark chocolate never hurts)!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons canola oil
2 cups walnuts
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups flour (may use whole wheat pastry flour)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 cups old fashioned oats
8 ounces of dark chocolate chips

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Blend walnuts in food processor until ground into a fine meal. Add canola oil, and blend until dough is the consistency of natural peanut butter. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Whisk together brown sugar and 1/2 cup water in small saucepan and boil. Pour sugar-water mixture over walnut butter, add vanilla, and stir until smooth.
4. Whisk flour, soda, salt and cinnamon in separate bowl. Stir flour mixture into walnut mixture and allow to cool.
5. Once cooled, mix in oats and chocolate chips.
6. Roll into 2-inch balls and flatten slightly on baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes, and enjoy.

Nutrition Information

Makes 30 cookies

152 calories
8.4 g fat (1.5 g saturated, 4.5g polyunsaturated, 1.8g monounsaturated)

0 mg cholesterol
124 mg sodium
24.5 g carbohydrate
11 g sugar
2.6 g fiber
2.7 g protein

Recipe from our Children’s Hospital Pediatric Nutrition Support Team