Aren’t you ready to bake and eat all things pumpkin! I know I am! I have been on the search for a healthy pumpkin oatmeal cookie recipe for the past few months.
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In my search for the perfect healthy pumpkin oatmeal cookie, I”ve eaten some really dry cookies and some cookies that were flavorless. Let just say 2 tablespoons of sugar isn’t going to cut it. At least not at this point. Maybe I can work my way to that healthy lifestyle where 2 tablespoons of sugar in a batch of cookies will taste delicious. I’m not there yet.
Most recipes use 2 sticks of butter and 2 cups of sugar. Those are the two things I wanted to cut back on. Finally I just decided to use my old recipe and make some healthy substitutions and start there. Every time I make them I’m going to cut the fat and sugar back a bit. I think that’s a good way to ease into it.
The smell of pumpkin and cinnamon is so wonderful. It just says fall is here doesn’t it?
So here’s my recipe for “somewhat healthy” pumpkin oatmeal cookies.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
- 2 cups of old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup of all purpose whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick of un-salted butter softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup Agave Nectar or honey
- 1/2 cup un-sweetened applesauce
- 1 cup of pumpkin
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 375 F. Prepare your baking sheet – parchment paper/silicone mat/cooking spray
-Stir together the dry ingredients, oats, flour, spices, baking powder & salt. In another bowl beat the butter & brown sugar together, then add the Agave, applesauce, pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract. Add the oat mixture and stir until combined.
-These cookies will not spread. Drop by rounded tablespoons & press into shape if you like. Bake 10-15 min until lightly browned.
NOTES: Add white chocolate chips, chopped nut or chopped cranberries (my fav) for added flavor and texture.
I prefer these cookies on the small side even though I show larger ones in the photos. I find the flavor and texture are better. But it’s up to you.
This is a great fall comfort cookie to have with some hot tea or coffee!
Vee says
They look tasty. My thoughts about cookies are that if one is going to bake them, they might just as well be delicious; otherwise, what’s the point? And it is why I bake cookies very seldom. You’re right, though, autumn is the time I want to bake some pumpkin bread or something that speaks of warmth and comfort.
Manuela says
LOL! Well I like to have a baked treat more than once in a while. So I try to make them healthy. Although I won’t eat something just because it’s healthy – it has to taste good too. I don’t always eat healthy but I try to!
Vee says
OOps! I was going to mention how darling the autumn tea set is. Perfect!
Lisa~A Cottage To Me says
They look so delicious! Love your cute acorn teapot set! I would have to have mine with coffee. Great treat on this rainy day!
Pamela Gordon says
These sound yummy! My favourite is pumpkin chocolate chip though. They just go together so well. 😉 I love your cute teapot, cream and sugar set. Have a great day! Blessings, Pamela
Brenda@Coffeeteabooksandme says
I am going to try these!
I made a new pumpkin chocolate chip recipe recently that we didn’t care for at all. I was wondering at the time if it would have tasted better if baked a few minutes longer since it also didn’t flatten.
Seeing your baking time, I am now certain they would have tasted less gummy!
Jennifer says
These sound delicious Manuela! I love pumpkin in the fall. These would be perfect for our camping trip in two weeks, definitely saving this!
Glenda/MidSouth says
They look and sound yummy. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I use to bake on occasion, but rarely do now as don’t need the temptations in the house.
Cindy says
I love your post.. where is the pumpkin in the recipe? And I covet that tea set too!
Manuela says
ooops! LOL! I read the list of ingredients about 20 times and can’t believe I forgot it. Thank you I made the correction.
That tea set is the only thing I’ve ever purchased from Crackle Barrel after the only meal I’ve ever had at their restaurant. I was more impressed with their little store than with the food. But I know people love Crackle Barrel so it’s just me 🙂
Marilyn says
I LOVE pumpkin and spice in the Fall! Love the smell of pumpkin pies, muffins, breads, etc. I have to eat GLUTEN FREE and with as little sugar as possible, so love that you used Agave! I use it all the time in my baking with a little bit of “real” sugar or Xylitol. I will definitely try your recipe. Love your blog too by the way and was sent here by Brenda at Cozy Little House. Love your reds and yellows! Am subscribing to your blog as love your recipes and decorating colors! I have altered MANY recipes to be more healthy and gluten free… will send them your way when I can!
Manuela says
That great! I’ll look forward to seeing your healthy recipes!
Laura says
I can almost smell them from here. I am a new follower of your wonderful blog from Brenda’s newest blog. 🙂
Tracey McBride~Frugal Luxuries ® says
These look so amazing Manuela…I may make them up for Mike as oatmeal and pumpkin are his favorite flavors! In the meantime, I don’t bake much anymore (barring my coconut flour muffins and flax breads to keep me away from the wheat and sugar ;). Have you ever used palm sugar? I did try it in my last batch of muffins and they did seem extra rich! It’s supposed to have a very low glycemic index and not spike your blood sugars and be a nice substitute for brown sugar. But I digress! Such a cozy post…I’m off now to make some tea!
Love,
Tracey
x0x
Manuela says
I remember you mentioning that and I do have it on my list of items to look for next time I’m in Whole Foods.
betty says
New Follower…So excited to find your blog from Cozy Inspiration. I’ve been on the pumpkin thing too….just can’t get enough. Check my blog for more pumpkin recipes 🙂 ~betty
Melanie says
Those cookies look absolutely delicious! I made pumpkin molasses cookies yesterday and to me, they were just OK, though my hubby loved them. The next cookie I make is going to be this one.
Susan says
Your cookies look delish and I love that sweet acorn tea set!
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Carolynn "Chenille Cottage" says
Hi Manuela,
Oh…My goodness! Your pumpkin oatmeal cookies look scrumptious. And, they are bound to taste even better with a cuppa tea from your darling acorn teapot!
Have a great day, my sweet friend,
Blessings,
Carolynn
Lisa Lynn says
These sound delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Theresa H. Roach says
I want one RIGHT NOW:) I will have to make these! Have a blessed day and thanks for the recipe! HUGS!
Kay says
Debbie – You may already know this, but you can substitute yogurt for the 2/3 of the butter in cookie recipes. It changes the texture to a more cake-y consistency, but I like that! Love pumpkin, must try these…
Kay
Manuela says
I substituted applesauce for some of the butter. I tried a recipe last week that used a lot of wet ingredients for butter substitution and it was just too gummy for me.