Carrot Cake Cookies!

These little babies are A-MAZ-ing! Taste like carrot cake, without the sugar or guilt :)

I originally created these soft chews for my youngest daughter, Avyana, for a healthy treat that she would enjoy and that I would feel good giving her. She only has four teeth, so soft textures are a must for her finger foods right now! They make for a fantastic, healthy dessert option, or for a snack between meals. Adults can enjoy too! :)

I like to keep things really simple in the kitchen - using whole foods, as few ingredients as possible, uncomplicated recipes, and not a lot of clean-up (well, as little as possible) - with two kids running around vying for my attention, simple is the name of the game (and really, who likes tons of messy dishes??)

Here's what you'll need:

1 banana

1 medium carrot, grated

1 apple, grated

1 tbsp. freshly ground flaxseeds

3 tbsp. hemp hearts

1/4 - 1/2 tsp cinnamon (depending on your tastes)

Directions:

Simply combine all of the above in a small bowl. Use either a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop out roughly even portions onto a prepared baking sheet (lined with parchment paper, silicon sheet, or lightly oiled - coconut oil is nice). Flatten slightly with your fingers - the cookies don't need to be perfectly round! Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 (cooking time varies depending on the consistency of the cookie, as well as by oven). Bake until the edges begin to brown slightly. Allow to cool, then enjoy!