Christmas cookies with sweet chewy cranberry and crunchy pistachios are a nice addition to your dessert table. These granola treats are made with a healthy twist and no one will know – plus coconut lovers will be pleased. They’re high in fiber, and pistachios have vitamins B6 and E while the cranberries provide phytonutrients that have anti-cancer properties. Coconut serves up minerals such as manganese, iron, phosphorus and potassium. These cookies will lower your cholesterol instead of raising it using applesauce instead of butter. And as a bonus the ingredients naturally combine seasonal red and green!
Christmas Granola Cookies: Ingredients: ¾ cup all-purpose flour, ¾ cup whole wheat pastry flour, 1 cup applesauce, 1 ½ cups unsweetened shredded coconut, 1 ½ cups sugar, 1 ½ cups rolled oats, 1 tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. salt, ½ cup coconut oil, 1 tbsp. vanilla extract, 1 cup vanilla chips, 1 cup chopped pistachios, 1 cup cranberries. The method is to preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix together the flours, applesauce, coconut, sugar, oats, baking powder and salt. In a separate small bowl, mix together oil and vanilla. Add wet mixture to dry. Mix very well. Fold in vanilla chips, pistachios and cranberries. Scoop 1 full tablespoon of batter and drop onto parchment lined baking sheets. Bake for 17 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to cooling rack. Enjoy!
