Oatmeal Peanut Butter Blossoms

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. Oh and Oatmeal Peanut Butter Blossoms for breakfast to help me get through these days leading up to Christmas.

This year is even crazier than usual for many reasons. It seems shorter, well actually there is less time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, getting ready for a vacation, having people over as we still host Christmas, and I’m doing it all with Baby G trying to go every where and get into every thing. Feeling the stress from before Thanksgiving that we hosted this year, getting ready for S to turn 16, and heading up north I decided I would do a few things to make the holidays a little less stressful and more enjoyable, or that was the plan.

For starters I told the girls that we would make the usual sugar cookies but decorate them together instead of doing those and the more elaborate ones I decorate myself that I usually spend a day on. I really enjoy it but would rather enjoy the moments with the family. In addition they could each pick 1 cookie I/we would make this holiday season. Since they both wanted Peanut Butter Blossoms and I had already planned on making them it was a bonus and they both got another pick which S picked Biscotti (updated from an old post) and A picked marshmallow meringues which we’ll be making next week. So thankful that they didn’t pick snowman macaroons, they’re so good but aren’t the quickest or easiest.

Of course there are the classic peanut butter blossoms I made but then I made 2 healthier versions with benefits! There are some cookies you can’t try to make healthier and you just need to stick with grandma’s or mom’s tried and true timeless recipe. Others, like these Oatmeal Peanut Butter Blossoms, you can make healthier and still enjoy them.

Another bonus, that means you can eat more and even eat them for breakfast!

I mean oatmeal, peanut butter, an egg, a little sugar (or maple syrup), the ingredients pretty much scream breakfast! Plus with a little chocolate kiss they’re a pretty sweet way to start the day. I also added ground flaxseed and Brewer’s Yeast, a healthy bonus good for everyone but also for all my fellow nursing mamas out there. If you aren’t a nursing mom just omit the Brewer’s Yeast, if you are and are looking to boost lactation I would highly recommend it. You could just start without it as oats, ground flaxseed, and eggs all help boost milk production and that might be all you needed. For anyone I would add the ground flaxseed in if possible but you can still make them without it and they’ll be just fine it’s just a nutritional bonus.

Here is a quick breakdown on the nutrition of a few of the ingredients and you’ll see why I have no problem grabbing a cookie or two anytime of day and would happily make these for my kids to enjoy, even Baby G but all get to that. 😉 Yep I feed my almost 9 month old cookies, well his sister is giving him one here.

Oats while the studies are on both ends of the spectrum on if they really do help with lactation or if it’s a wives tale they make a great base for any energy bite. They’re packed with healthy carbs, fiber, iron, and a rich source of phytochemicals. They are also heart healthy, helping to lower cholesterol and control blood sugar.

Ground Flax Seed adds Omega-3 essential fatty acids, “good” fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Lignans in flax seed have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flax seed is packed with soluble and insoluble fiber which is good for everyone. Like sesame seeds, flaxseed has phytoestrogens that can influence breast milk production.
Flax seed also contains essential fatty acids.

Eggs are rich in protein, choline, lutein, vitamins B12 and D, riboflavin and folate.

Brewer’s yeast (the one ingredient I leave out of the families cookies) is a healthy nutritional supplement that contains B vitamins, iron, protein, chromium, selenium, and other minerals. It can not only help produce more breast milk, but it may also give you more energy, have a positive effect on your mood and get rid of the baby blues.

Now with just a couple tweaks these cookies can be made even simpler with no, or little, added sugar and are perfect for little ones. These are Baby G approved, and with the added 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup they’re a healthier option for anyone looking to reduce their sugar intake, even A loves them! I use Peanut Butter & Co Simply Smooth, or a no sugar peanut butter, omit the sugar or as mentioned use only 1/4 of a cup of pure maple syrup, and then omit the brewer’s yeast (ground flaxseed is also optional but I add it now). As far as topping them with a kiss I make some without for him but for a get together make a bigger batch and just steal the kiss before adding it, I mean as a mama to a little one I think I totally earned that chocolate I mean kiss.

Simple ingredients, simple cookies, but you can have fun! The chocolate on top, yes you can go with the traditional kiss. You can also go non traditional and add a chocolate cherry kiss or for peanut butter lovers or those looking to keep the sugar low there is No Sugar Added Lily’s Chocolate that I love and have gotten friends and family hooked on. Add 1/2 of one of their No Sugar Added Peanut Butter Cups or a square of chocolate, their Salted Caramel Chocolate for a real treat! I just stocked up on more of these and lots of chocolate for family that has to cut out or watch chocolate so everyone will have a sweet Christmas still at our house this year and not feel left out.

So much information, so many options! I like options and also like to inspire others to adjust recipes as they can to fit their needs like I do with these for lactation. Trust me I’m not justifying my food choices right now but I’m always hungry and if I want to eat a few cookies a day I want them to count. I will also fully enjoy more indulging treats too but during the day and morning I find myself wanting less sweet treats and these fit that but the family also enjoys them running out, or in, the door. They also save me time since I haven’t been making any of my lactation bites, muffins, or cookies lately while making cookies and other holiday eats.

It’s Meatless Monday and there are more great recipes linked up below and as always Deborah and I hope you join us and look forward to what’s cooking in your kitchen! Just a heads up that I (as well as Deborah) will be taking next week off from Meatless Monday as we’ll be spending time with family. I plan on doing a round-up post on the 30th, or maybe a new recipe that I didn’t get time to share as I have a bunch of those in que, but will still be spending time with the family and returning to “business as usual” after the new year.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season and enjoy the time with family and friends cherishing every precious moment!

Print Recipe

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Blossoms

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Blossoms are an update on a classic making them healthier for the whole family and still delicious! Sometimes you can't miss with grandma's timeless recipes but this time you can and eat your favorite cookies all day long! Gluten free friendly cookies with simple ingredients, no sugar added version for baby led weaning and even a lactation boosting version. Healthy Holidays for the whole family!

Course

Breakfast, Dessert, Snacks

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Passive Time

see notes (30 mins optional)

Servings

cookies

Ingredients

• 1 c peanut butter (Peanut Butter & Co White Chocolate Peanut Butter or Smooth Operator)
• 1/2 c coconut palm sugar or maple syrup*
• 2 large eggs
• 2 TBSP coconut oil, melted (or sub avocado oil)
• 1 c rolled oats, gluten free if desired
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 TBSP ground flaxseed, optional
• 2 TBSP brewers yeast, optional (Mommy Knows Best Brewer's Yeast)
• 24 chocolate kisses, pieces of chocolate/ peanut butter cup (Hershey's Dark Chocolate, or for a fun surprise Chocolate Cherry or other flavor, or no sugar added Lily's Chocolate Squares or 1/2 Lily's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups)

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snacks Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 10 minutes Passive Time see notes (30 mins optional) Servings cookies Ingredients 1 c peanut butter (Peanut Butter & Co White Chocolate Peanut Butter or Smooth Operator) 1/2 c coconut palm sugar or maple syrup* 2 large eggs 2 TBSP coconut oil, melted (or sub avocado oil) 1 c rolled oats, gluten free if desired 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 2 TBSP ground flaxseed, optional 2 TBSP brewers yeast, optional (Mommy Knows Best Brewer's Yeast) 24 chocolate kisses, pieces of chocolate/ peanut butter cup (Hershey's Dark Chocolate, or for a fun surprise Chocolate Cherry or other flavor, or no sugar added Lily's Chocolate Squares or 1/2 Lily's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups)

Instructions

1. If making these cookies with maple syrup the dough will need to be chilled for 30 minutes before baking.
2. Preheat oven to 350F.
3. Grind oats to oat flour, pulse in baking soda, salt, ground flax seed, and optional brewers yeast to the mix and mix until well combine.
4. In a large bowl mix together peanut butter, maple syrup/coconut palm sugar, eggs, and coconut oil with a hand-mixer or whisk.
5. Add the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until combine.
6. If you made your dough with maple syrup chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.
7. Line a baking sheet with a silpat mat or parchment paper.
8. Using a small ice cream scoop drop spoonfuls of dough on prepared baking sheet. The maple syrup ones will spread, coconut palm sugar not so much so flatten with the bottom of a glass or your hand.
9. Bake for 8 10 minutes, they will be set but still soft.
10. Remove and gently press a chocolate kiss or piece of chocolate into the center of each cookie. Let cool 5-10 minutes before moving to a wire rack.
11. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Baby version
1 c peanut butter (Peanut Butter & Co Simply Smooth)
1/4c maple syrup
2 TBSP coconut oil, melted
1 c rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

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