Healthy Peanut-butter, Banana, Oatmeal, Dark Chocolate, and Dried Cranberry Cookies

This morning I woke up with an aching need to devour something sweet. Recently getting on a "health kick" I wasn't sure what I could do to fulfill both desires. Naturally, I jumped on "Pinterest" and started searching delicious-low cal treats. Within a few short minutes I had discovered a new recipe that I am so excited to share and use over and over again. While the name may be lengthy (Healthy Peanut-butter, Banana, Oatmeal, Dark Chocolate, and Dried Cranberry Cookies) it is worth spelling out. This cookie is exactly what it's title describes- not many more ingredients are needed!

These cookies were easy to make and even easier to eat! And trust me, if I can bake them, anyone can. Posted below is my version of these scrumptious cookies. However, the original recipe can be found at Lux Hippie. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1 tablespoon vanilla

1/2-1 cup natural chunky peanut butter (depending on how much peanut buttery goodness you want)

4 tablespoons maple syrup

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt (note: if you are using salted peanut butter, you may not need any salt, do a taste test with the batter)

½ cup dark chocolate chips

½ cup of dried cranberries

½ cup of sliced almonds

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

In a large bowl, mix bananas, vanilla, peanut butter and maple syrup into a creamy consistency (best to do with a hand mixer).

In another bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder and salt

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until they are well combined, the batter should be slightly sticky. Fold in the chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and almond slices. The batter will be somewhat runny, this is ok.

Place heaping tablespoon-sized balls of the batter onto a ‘greased’ baking sheet (can also place on wax paper) and cook for 15 minutes.

Makes around 2 dozen cookies