Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I was lucky enough to spend this past weekend at home with my family which, I must say, I do not get to do often enough and admittedly I had a jolly good time.
(Happy Mom? :))

I was also pleased because I was able to pick up a brand spankin’ new cookie sheet while out shopping at  The Christmas Tree Shop .

So upon my return to school, cookie sheet in hand, I knew there was only one thing left for me to do – bake! I scoured my kitchen for inspiration. What kind of cookies should I make?

*Zoom in on my basket of overripe bananas.*

Banana cookies????

WHY NOT?!

Banana bread has always been one of my favorites, so why not make it in cookie form? I looked through my pantry to see what else I could add to this already interesting sounding cookie. Oats, chocolate chips, walnuts – I was beginning to get excited!

I checked my handy little recipe book for my oatmeal raisin cookie recipe as a base, made some tweaks (as usual) to try and make it a little bit healthier, and Voila!

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 c white sugar
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 overripe bananas
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat the oven to 400º.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In a separate large bowl, mash the two bananas with a fork.
   Mix in the egg, oil, applesauce, sugars, and vanilla.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture. Gently fold in the oats, chocolate chips, and walnuts.
5. For large cookies – drop tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet
   For small cookies – drop teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet
6. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes, or until the edges are browned.