Double Chocolate Strawberry Oatmeal Cookies

With Valentine’s Day coming up I thought I would whip up some of our favorite oatmeal cookies but a chocolate version, because nothing screams Valentines like chocolate! Asking the girls for their input and help we decided on Double Chocolate Strawberry Oatmeal Cookies, yep chocolate cookies with chocolate chips/cacao nibs, and strawberries. I couldn’t argue because we all love chocolate covered strawberries and really they have good taste. These cookies whip up in minutes using a Vitamix, or blender, or you can make them by hand as well. If you like more texture you can keep the oats whole like a traditional oatmeal or blend all or some in resulting in more of a cake like texture. So healthy they can even be enjoyed for breakfast, which we do often because who wouldn’t want to enjoy “dessert for breakfast” especially when mom approves! We could reduce the ingredients but we like to add vanilla and cinnamon and making these for snack we added a couple of tablespoons of coconut palm sugar, which can be omitted for breakfast cookies or if you are looking to reduce sugar. Pair these cookies with a smoothie, we like to do strawberry, or strawberry banana, almond or coconut milk smoothies, and you have a perfect start to the day or a healthy snack! We blended in most of the oats in the first batch, also using Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grains Oatmeal which is a combination of grains, chia seeds, and a finer texture and the results were a brownie like texture! After multiple batches we came back to these with melted gooey chocolate chips for the win but they are delicious with other oats and cacao nibs. The freeze dried strawberries soften up and give them the perfect sweet strawberry surprise! They are a favorite for sure and think that you will agree once you try them, we dare you to eat just one!! Don’t worry if you eat the whole batch though because they really aren’t that bad for you.

What is your favorite fruit to pair with chocolate?

Double Chocolate Strawberry Oatmeal Cookies
Makes about 12-15 big cookies
2 1/4c oats (used Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Gluten Free Oatmeal)
1/3c cacao/cocoa powder
3 large ripe bananas
1/4 c milk (used So Delicious Almond Milk Plus)
2 TBSP coconut palm sugar, optional (or brown sugar can be used)
1 tsp pure vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2c dried strawberries (used freeze dried strawberries we picked up at Trader Joe’s)
1/4c chocolate chips or cacao nibs

Preheat oven to 350. In a Vitamix, or high-speed blender, blend together bananas, almond milk, coconut palm sugar, and vanilla. Add in cacao and 1 cup of the oats, blend smooth. In a medium/large bowl combine remaining oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until well combine. Alternatively for less texture you can add all the try ingredients into the Vitamix/ blender and blend stirring in strawberries and chocolate chips. Fold in strawberries and chocolate chips. You can also make these by hand mashing the banana with a fork, stirring in milk, sugar, and vanilla. In a large bowl combine oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Add the wet ingredients to the dry until juts combine and stir in the strawberries and chocolate. Spoon onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat mat. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool slightly before removing from pan to a wire rack or enjoying warm. Enjoy!