The Good Cookie

That name is terrible. Also in the running:
-"Granookies"
-"Cookies you'd give your kids for a snack and not feel guilty about it"
"A cookie to eat before you run"
"Cookies but not really"

They're not really officially granola bars.....and I wouldn't dare call them a cookie.....I know good cookies. But they lie somewhere in between, and they lie there without a name. 

This cooler weather is screaming at me to bake. Bake. Bake. Bake. But right now I'm  in  training (and Robby too!!) for this, and with all the running around we are doing I don't want a belly full of cookies bouncing up and down with each step. 

I've been working on a "granola bar" type recipe for a while now--the perfect balance of decent nutrition, but also giving me that chocolate fix I need every day at 3:00. 

I  finally found it. 

They really need a name. Just calling them "those one bars" is pretty bad. But without further ado,

The Good Cookie (laaaaame)

3/4c  peanut butter

1/4c agave nectar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 can chickpeas, pureed in food processor

1 1/4 c rolled oats

1/2 c whole wheat flour

1/4c ground flax seed

1/8c wheat germ

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2oz good quality dark chocolate, finely chopped

In a seperate bowl combine oats, flour, flax, wheat germ, baking powder and salt.

Combine pb, agave, and egg in mixer, and beat until well combined--about a minute.

Add vanilla.

Stir in chickpea puree until well mixed.

Slowly stir in dry mixture until well combined. Mixture will be thick.

Shape into a rectangle on a lined cookie sheet, about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle chocolate over the top.

Bake at 350° in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until cookie is set. 

Spread out chocolate, allow to cool for about 10 minutes, and cut into bars. Let them cool completely before you eat them. Store in refrigerator to keep the chocolate nice and crisp.

The size (above) was perfect for me! It was a great afternoon snack, and I even ate one about an hour before an 8 mile run and had no troubles at all (I have a super picky tummy when it comes to pre-running food)

I cut them in half for the kids....they devoured them.

These are mildly sweet, and are a great mix of whole grains, with the chickpeas and peanut butter offer a good amount of protein, but they are still cookie enough to get me through my afternoon. 

enjoy!