Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

I made a batch of these last night for a dinner party and the plate was cleaned within minutes.  These cookies are the most comforting cookies ever.  I love the hearty flavor of oats combined with sweet almonds and bitter chocolate chunks.  Instead of using chocolate chips, I just chopped up a bar of 100% dark chocolate and the cookies turned out perfectly delicious.  This recipe makes about 12 cookies, but you might want to double the recipe as these cookies go quickly!  

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups of gluten free oats (Bob's Red Mill makes gluten free ones!)
• 3/4 cup of gluten free flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp of nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1/4 cup of Earth Balance or canola oil
• 1 ripe mashed banana or 1/4 cup of apple sauce
• 1/2 cup of maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, beaten (or egg replacer)
• 3/4 cup of shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup of sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup of 100% dark chocolate, chopped into little chunks.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, flour, baking soda, and spices.
3. Using your hands, incorporate the Earth Balance and banana mash into the dry ingredients.
4. Using a large spoon, mix in the maple syrup, vanilla, and egg. 
5. Stir in the coconut, chocolate, and almonds.
6. Form dough into balls and flatten onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake in the oven for about 10 or so minutes. 
8. When cookies are golden on the outside, remove cookies from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
9. Enjoy with a glass of rice milk!