Biblical Cookies: A Sweet, Simple Way to Healthy Eating

I rarely make a cookie recipe more than once. I get bored. Really easily. My family always says, “Enjoy this, because you’ll never get it again!”

But this recipe I have made on repeat for the last month. I’ve probably baked these seven times. Which is not to say I ever make them quite the same way. My brain is just not wired that way. But that’s the beauty of this recipe, you can veer off and make it your own (and I do).

Have you ever researched a Biblical diet? It’s pretty interesting and consists of very healthy foods. No wonder they lived so long.

Following a Biblical eating plan basically means eating fresh, clean meats, vegetables, nuts, fruits, and berries. Many of the authors of Biblical eating plans also stress staying away from “unclean meats” like pork, fish without scales, processed meats, etc.

Once processed “instant” foods were introduced in the USA, our diets changed drastically. Many of our foods have addictive ingredients that make us eat more. The ease of processed foods are also addictive. Who doesn’t want dinner ready in ten minutes?

The farther we’ve strayed from the diets of our ancestors, the unhealthier we’ve become.

Diabetes runs rampant in my family’s lineage. My mom had it, her mom had it, both my uncles had it, my sister has it … the list goes on and on. I was cursed with it about a decade ago.

At first I didn’t take it seriously. I ate less but pretty much the same foods. No matter how much insulin I shot in, my blood numbers were still too high. As I got older I realized that I couldn’t continue in that way or I wouldn’t get to see my grandkids grow up.

I am now researching recipes online and gathering a whole collection of new, healthier ideas. I’m cooking more at home, buying interesting ingredients and my blood sugar is now in the target range 90 percent of the time! My doctor is thrilled.

I have to say that I get great joy from eating more like they did in the Biblical times. I don’t feel deprived because the fresh foods are so delicious.

Now, I have to warn you that these cookies don’t look like the pretty processed ones you see in the store. In fact, they look rather funky.

Ann Kirsten

But the taste will make up for that, I promise you! My husband and my teen grandkids have given them the seal of approval (which, believe me, says a lot).

Okay, here we go:

Ann’s Biblical Cookies

½ cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 ½ bananas)
¾ cup natural nut butter (peanut, almond or cashew)
1/3 cup raw honey or date syrup (agave would probably work too)
1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
2 ½ cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

Add-ins:

½ cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, currants, chopped apricots …)
½ cup chips (chocolate, white chocolate, butterscotch, …)
¼ cup seeds or nuts (pepitas, sunflower, almonds, peanuts …)
1 Tablespoon flax or chia seeds

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line your cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Throw a soft banana and a half into a mixing bowl (no need to measure). Add in the nut butter, honey and vanilla extract (don’t forget to spray your measuring cups with cooking spray – your sticky things will slide right out). Run the mixer until all the ingredients are mixed together. Add in the oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt and mix again. This makes the base of your cookies.

Then go wild with your add-ins! As long as you stick (almost) with the cups listed you can get creative with what you put in these.

If your dough is too sticky you can chill it for 30 minutes or even overnight. Then roll your dough into golf ball size balls. Press down the tops with your fingers until they are shaped like pucks.

Ann Kirsten

Bake 15 minutes or until the tops are set.

That’s it!

I store these in the fridge and they are delicious cold.

I have made these with every combination of add-ins you can imagine. I couldn’t pick out my favorite because they are all delicious.

With a glass of milk or a cup of coffee, these make a perfect breakfast or snack. And everyone is different but they do not raise my blood sugar. Win, win, win.

Give these a try and see if they don’t become a favorite of yours too.

^“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

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