Got Ripe Bananas? Healthier Banana Cookies

 The weather is 19°F this morning, as I post this blog post today.  Brr.  I sure hope it warms up, but if not, it's a good day to bake something.

I used my larger cookie scoop, and used the back of it to spread the cookie out a bit.

One of the kids wanted a healthy banana cookie recipe, and I have a few.  I had to dig this one out and make to see if it was one of my keeper recipes (I have a habit of not taking notes).

It's a soft cookie - no flour, no sugar.

3 ripe bananas, organic, mashed

2 cups of organic old fashioned oats

1 cup of finely diced apple or dates (I used half of both for this batch, using organic apples/dates)

1/3 cup organic canola oil *

1 tsp. homemade vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp. organic cinnamon

A few dashes or so of organic nutmeg

Mix, drop on parchment paper line baking sheets, and bake for 20 minutes.  Cool on a rack.  I let these sit on the baking sheets a bit after taking out of the oven. I had larger bananas, so they needed a bit more time, but they are so good.  Healthy snacks to have on hand, or a quick morning bite if you are pressed for time.

*Note:  I have no notes on the recipe as to if I have cut the oil, and used half home canned (sugar free) applesauce.  I will do that the next time I have ripe bananas on hand.

I am low on homemade vanilla extract.  I have ordered my vanilla beans, and will post the process soon.  It's very easy to make.

Got Ripe Bananas?  Healthier Banana Cookies  ©  March 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

New Recipe Tried and Other Tidbits

 

I found a few printed recipes in the back of my binder, when I changed them out to new binders recently.  I found a recipe I had printed back in July of 2021, and gave it a try (without reading any reviews).  Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole.

It's delicious.  However, the next time I make this, I will finely dice the sweet potatoes, roast them, and then layer it all to bake.  I found the shredded sweet potatoes gave it a "mushy" bottom texture.  It is very light, and not a "heavy" breakfast.  

The only thing I did different, was that I used real meat instead of the "vegetarian" meat the recipe called for.  Oh, I also added 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground garlic (homemade) for added flavor and some salt and pepper. I found it strange that the recipe did not call for any seasoning at all.  The recipe is still online at allrecipes.

Tidbits. . .

We woke up to 21°F this morning.  The cold has returned, but thankfully no snow this March (like last year).

I have somehow lost my blog writing mojo.  Maybe it's the transition from winter to Spring, with it's back and forth weather?  I don't know, but I just haven't had much to write about this month.

I took advantage of the cooler weather and seasoned our new cast iron pan.  I had asked if anyone had one, and there was no answer, so we are giving it a try.  Even the clerk at the store, gave me her name, and asked for me to give her a review the next time we were in the area (not sure that will happen, ha ha!). Anyway, I will be cooking with it, and if we like it we very well may go back for a 2nd one.   

We are still focusing meals based on what's still providing from last year's garden.  We still have frozen garden vegetables, canned sauces, and of course the copious amounts of green beans.

I have yet to jump on the sourdough bread band-wagon.  We just don't eat bread that often, so two loaves of Amish baked sourdough, went into our freezer.  We have a friend who also bakes it, so I may just buy from her next time (all organic ingredients).  

We are still getting more outdoor walking in this year despite weather changes.  In fact, 100% more than last year (we did not do outdoor walking this  time of year, last year).  In fact, last weekend we walked 3.31 miles (we tracked our distance for health purposes).  My husband's sugar reading tests are much lower, and we are very happy about that.

Our Spring Daffodils continue to emerge, but no actual blooms just yet.

Although the weather is on the chilly side today, there is nothing more invigorating than a deep breath of morning fresh air.  

New Recipe Tried and Other Tidbits  ©  March 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart