Wednesday, February 09, 2011

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Cookies (on the healthy side of things)

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So, I’ve been trying to eat better and I’ve also gotten back into my exercise routine (ugh—5 a.m.!) that I kind of gave up when we moved this summer.  As much as I complain (mostly to myself), I’m already starting to feel better than I had been and I’ve lost 6 pounds since Christmas.  I literally have to tell myself when I get up at 5 a.m. and SO don’t want to get out of bed that I should just do it and be grateful that my body CAN get up.  Just do it.  Even as I force myself to get on that treadmill and go, go, go for an hour, I have to just remind myself to keep going.  It helps that I read (most of the time) and that makes time just tick away.  Funny thing is—I mostly read food magazines!  Today while I plugged along, I was reading Everyday With Rachael Ray Magazine.  Yesterday it was Food Network Magazine.  Sometimes I enjoy flipping through Women’s Health Magazine, but I think my subscription just ran out on that one.

While it’s hard to believe I can still make things like the Nutella Truffle Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Cookies I recently posted and just sample a little bit, that is what I’ve been doing.  It isn’t easy!  How I’d love to just eat up 2, 3, 4, 6 of this and half dozen of that, I just can’t do it.  Sigh.  Just wait until you see what I just baked up today—Heart Shaped Chocolate Truffle Cakes—DIVINE.  Stay tuned for those in the next couple days!

Somehow I maintain and slowly lose a few pounds here and there by making myself more healthy treats and it seems to be working.  I found these no bake cookies on Jennie’s blog, Losing Ourselves and Loving It.  I love the very sugary, buttery and easy no bake cookies out there and even have my mom’s tried-and-true recipe on hand, but these just seemed to fit the bill of me wanting a little treat, but still saving on some fat and calories.  I adapted the recipe even a little more from Jennie’s posted version.  Her recipe called for a little bit of butter, but I decided to use I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter.  Her recipe just says “milk”, but I used skim milk.  Can’t even tell, because the dark chocolate is the star of these cookies as well as the healthy oats.  The only thing I will change next time (soon—just ran out of the cookies, which Kevin also loved and has eaten his fair share) is that i will toast the oats first next time.  The oats just had a little bit of a raw taste.  Other than that—great little treats!

No Bake Chocolate PB Cookies 2-7-11

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter  Oat Cookies, by Katrina, Baking and Boys!, adapted from Jenna at eatliverun.com

2 tablespoons I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, softened

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened (could use 3 T. of either)

1/4 cup skim milk

3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 grams)

2 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder

1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips (6 ounces)

1/4 cup peanut butter (I used Adam’s Natural Smooth no-stir PB)  (64 grams)

2 cups old fashioned oats (toasted—spread oats on a baking sheet and toast in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes, stirring half way during baking time)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt the butter in a medium sized saucepan on the stove.  Add the sugar, cocoa powder and milk and stir will.  Stir in the vanilla, peanut butter and chocolate chips.  Fold together until chocolate is melted.  Remove from heat and stir in the oats and mix until combined.

Scoop balls of dough with a small cookie scoop onto wax paper lined baking sheet.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes, until hardened.  Makes 18-24 cookies, depending on size.

No Bake Chocolate PB Oat Cookies 2-7-11

Have one of these next time you need a little chocolate and a little pick-me-up treat!  I think almond butter would be good in these as well.  (I’m kind of on an almond butter kick.)

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Congrats on the loss...I really need to get a work out regiment agoing. These look very nice.

Lisa said...

I'm just like you when it comes to exercise. When I'm on the treadmill, I'm usually watching shows on the Food Network or Ultimate Cake-Off. Keep up the good work. Your cookies look so chocolatey and yum. I should have a few of those in front of me when I'm in the gym (you know as motivation).

Lisa Ernst said...

This is my kind of "everyday" cookie. Yes, I must confess that I make cookies every single day for myself. Just mostly nut butter, whole grain flour and dark chocolate concoctions with stevia. This recipe is a perfect new one to adapt a little and try. Probably tomorrow....

Shelby said...

No bake cookies are one of my weaknesses. I love them but they are really dangerous to have near me!

Kristen said...

I am always looking for no bake cookie recipes to make during the hot months of our Arizona summer. These are going on the list!

Deeba PAB said...

These are bookmarked for our long days of summer just round the corner when we have massive power outages. Love the healthy bit in them. Nom nom nom!! SUd

Emily said...

Six pounds? That's awesome! Losing weight is a hard thing to do and I admire you. I don't usually have a problem with working out, but the treat-eating I do have a problem with. I can't resist chocolate!

These healthy treats look good! I will have to try making them soon.

Anonymous said...

I use a similar recipe. Seriously, I hate to admit it but these are one of my favorite treats of all time. So simple, no bake, really. Why do I love them so? I shouldn't question, I should just eat. :)

PS, I can't wait to have some kiddos of my own so the hubbers and I don't have 4 dozen cookies a week to eat by ourselves. :)

CaSaundraLeigh said...

It's definitely all about moderation! :-) I hate when people say things are "off limits". One bite or a few bites never hurts anyone! These treats sound great--I love a no-bake recipe every once and awhile!

Natalie said...

my hubby is a big fan of "healthy desserts". I think this qualifies, but they're still decadent enough for me! Can't wait to try!

And congrats on the weight loss--keep it up!

Caroline said...

Congrats on the accomplishment! I can't read on the treadmill... I either can't see the words because I bounce too much, or I get too focused on what I'm looking at and swerve off the treadmill belt.

Waking up at 5 is a pain - if I'm lucky I sleep in until 5:20, so I know how you feel, but it is worth it in the end! I actually love having no-bake treats with oats in them, the texture is so nice, and I find it much more satisfying than something without. Keep up the great work!

Megan said...

I love a no-bake cookie and these look perfectly chocolatly!

'm with ya too on the treadmill thing. Just started up and I hate it. But, I'm gonna tell myself, "self, if Katrina can do it, so can you!"
Lets see if that helps me!

Becky at VintageMixer said...

No bake cookies are my husband's favorite. Thanks for a great recipe.

eatme_delicious said...

Love this healthier version of a cookie. I'm always looking for little healthy treats like this. Good for you for sticking to your exercise! I know what you mean about it not being easy to not gobble up lots of baked goods. Usually I try to just save a small amount and give the rest away as soon as possible haha. You should check out Ricki's cocoa nibbles (http://www.dietdessertndogs.com/2008/05/27/flash-in-the-pan-cocoa-nibbles-or-la-raw-bar/) if you haven't. They're so healthy yet are a nice sweet chocolate treat. And I can't wait to see the Heart Shaped Chocolate Truffle Cakes!! Those sound amazing.

Kerstin said...

Congrats on 6 pounds - awesome! Bad reality TV definitely helps me conquer the dreadmill. These cookies look like the perfect post-workout snack!

Eliana said...

These look super super delish Katrina. And congrats on the 6 pounds. That's a big accomplishment. (And I love that you read food mags on the treadmill)

Leslie said...

5 am?? you are a crazy women. I wish I could be that dedicated!
Yummy little treats!

Anonymous said...

Yum! This looks like a winner, and I like your idea of toasting the oats.

I've been watching what I eat too, which has meant baking less and trying very hard not to eat so much of what I do bake. It's tough, but possible!!

Jennie said...

Hey girl, glad you tried these and liked them. Let me know how the toasted oat version turns out - I do think this would add a flavor boost.
And thanks for the link-love!!
Happy baking, fellow baking friend!

Katrina said...

Hi Jennie--the toasted oats do taste better, however, the cookies are more dry, and rather crumbly. So maybe a little bit more milk would have helped. Also, I added 2 cups oats when your recipe called for 1 1/2 cups. The first time I made them it didn't seem like too much with the 2 cups of oats, but maybe toasting the oats drew out some moisture??
I plan to try them again sometime and play around with still toasting the oats and possibly adding a touch more butter and/or milk. Thanks.