Healthy workout cookies

I saw this recipe online, but a few of the comments said they were a bit tasteless, so I decided to make my own version.

You will need:
2 large (or 3 small) ripe bananas
400g rolled oats
1 small handful of dried fruit (I used currants)
1 tablespoon of cocoa powder (must be cocoa, not drinking chocolate, that has sugar added) 
2 teaspoons of honey
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of chocolate extract
1 teaspoon of cinnamon (optional)

Method (makes about 12 - I ate one before I took the picture!)
Preheat the oven to gas mark 4 (180°C / 350°F)
Mash the bananas with a fork, then add everything else and bring together into a rough dough
Shape into 12 cookie shapes on a greased baking sheet, and pop in the oven for about 15-20 minutes
Leave to cool on a cooling rack

That's it! Easy peasy. They have a lovely chewy texture, somewhere between a cookie and a cake. They'll keep for a few days in an airtight container. 

This is the secret ingredient! Chocolate extract (I got mine from Lakeland). The cookies turned out really nice, much nicer than I thought they would. One or two before a workout gives you some good carbs for energy, or if, like me, you love cakes and biscuits, one of these is a nice healthy alternative. 

 

UPDATE: 21 May 2013
I made these again today, but totally forgot that they were in the oven! I left them in there for just over 40 minutes. I thought they'd be ruined, but they were actually really nice - a bit crunchier on top, but still moist and chewy in the middle. So I'll be intentionally overbaking them from now on!

Andy’s Roman Honey and Cinnamon Cookies

Ingredients:

200g wholemeal or spelt flour
100g runny honey
100g sunflower oil
1 heaped tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp grated nutmeg (optional)
1 tsp ground ginger (optional)
Few grinds of black pepper (optional)

Makes about 12 – 16 cookies

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (Gas Mark 5). Oil a baking sheet with some sunflower oil

2. Put all the ingredients into a large bowl and combine into a soft dough.

3. Roll into walnut sized balls and place on oiled sheet, flattening slightly with the palm of your hand.

4. Bake for about 8 – 10 minutes.

5. Leave to cool on the sheet.

6. Make a cup of tea and stuff your face.