Vegan Trail Mix Cookies

Ever since I bought a bag of Trader Joe’s Vegan Trail Mix Cookies, I knew I had to make my own version. These are different from the TJ’s ones, but they are still amazing! They are nutty and satisfying, with hints of fruit and spice. I decided to go for a savory flavor, using molasses, brown sugar, and lots of cinnamon. I’ll just let the recipe speak for itself…

Ingredients (makes 18 small-ish cookies that disappear in a day)
3/4 cup oats
1/4 cup whole wheat couscous (OR an additional 1/2 cup flour)
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2-3 tablespoons brown sugar, depending on how sweet you like your cookies
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
dash of salt
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 banana, mashed
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon molasses
1/2 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
2 tablespoons raisins
2 tablespoons peanuts, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons sunflower seeds

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Mix together oats, couscous, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the banana, water, molasses, and applesauce. Add this to the flour mixture.
4. Mix in the raisins, peanuts, and sunflower seeds.
5. Spray a baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop out about a tablespoon of the dough for each cookie.
6. Bake at 350F for 12-14 minutes. Enjoy with some vanilla soy ice cream 🙂

Since couscous made an appearance in this recipe, I should introduce you all to the newest member of our family… Couscous the cat!

We adopted him from a family that lives nearby and is moving to an apartment complex that does not allow cats. He is 6 years old and quite a cutie. Despite his slightly lazy appearance, he’s very playful – especially when he gets his paws on his catnip-stuffed mouse!