My 9 year old daughter wanted to make cookies the other day…while we were waiting for a new oven to be installed. So we looked up some no-bake recipes. They all had 2 cups of sugar for about 2 dozen cookies – seemed a bit extreme. They also said NOT to use natural peanut butter because the cookies were too dry… I KNEW we could do better!

We softened some dates in hot water for a few minutes and threw them in the blender with the milk (not pictured) and were able to cut sugar by more than half!

Health-ified No-Bake Cookies

• 1/4 c butter
• 5 dates (pits removed and soaked in hot water to soften)
• 3/4 c sugar
• 1/2 c milk (dairy or non dairy)
• 1/2 c peanut butter
• 2 t vanilla
• 1/4 t salt
• 3 c oats
• 1/4 c chocolate chips

1. Soak pitted dates in hot water to soften. Remove from the water and put in blender with the milk. Blend until smooth.
2. In a saucepan over med-high heat combine butter, date puree and sugar. Bring to a boil and stir for a minute. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in peanut butter, vanilla and salt until all melted and smooth.
4. Stir in oats and chocolate chips – which may melt if the mixture is still warm.
5. Scoop onto parchment lined pan or silicone mat and freeze 20-30 minutes or until firm.
6. Store refrigerated or frozen.

Makes about 2 dozen gluten, dairy, egg free cookies. You could use almond butter in place of peanut for peanut free cookies.