Maple Almond Breakfast Cookies

These are a take on Pecan Maple Breakfast Cookies I saw on the 100 Days of Real Food blog. I wanted a quick and healthy snack, and also something I could have that would be quick and healthy for breakfast when I didn't have time to make something (like before a run in the morning)! These hit the spot. Don't let the "cookie" title fool you - these are not dessert, and they aren't really sweet, though you can taste the maple syrup and applesauce in the cookie. These are only about 73 calories per cookie.

Maple Almond Breakfast Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup applesauce
3 tablespoons maple syrup (the real stuff, please)
2 tablespoons butter, softened but not melted
1 egg
1teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup chopped almonds (mine were ground pretty well - not fine enough to be almond flour, but pretty close)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and grease a cookie sheet.

2. Whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.

3. In a separate bowl using an electric mixer beat the applesauce, maple syrup, butter, egg, and vanilla.
4. While beating the mixture on a low speed add the dry ingredients until well blended.

5. Fold in the nuts.

6. Drop onto prepared cookie sheet with a spoon. Bake for 8 – 9 minutes or until they start to brown.