This spiced cookie is healthy enough for breakfast

Cooktop Cove: This spiced cookie is healthy enough for breakfast

By Emily Monaco

Cookies for breakfast? It's possible (and healthy!) with the recipe that follows. This cookie starts with a base of whole wheat flour and rolled oats. Applesauce, banana and a touch of brown sugar add sweetness, and spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves lend even more flavor.

Change up these cookies according to what you have in the pantry. Other nuts, seeds and even dried fruit can add more flavor and texture. Consider seasonal combinations such as red cranberries and green pistachios at Christmas or pecans and pumpkin seeds at Thanksgiving.

Spiced breakfast cookies

5 minutes

15 minutes

20 minutes

1 cup whole wheat flour

3 cups rolled oats

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons ginger

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 pinch ground nutmeg

2 eggs

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 medium banana, mashed

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup chopped hazelnuts

Heat the oven to 350 F, and grease a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, salt and spices.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, butter, mashed banana, applesauce and brown sugar.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and fold together. Stir in the hazelnuts.

Use a spoon or ice cream scoop to create 12 cookies of the same size, and put them on the baking sheet. Flatten them slightly before baking.

Bake for about 15 minutes, until lightly browned.

Repeat for the other 12 cookies.