The Ultimate Period Cookies (Under 45 Calories!)

NOTE: No self-control needed

nothankstocake.com

Riding the crimson wave? Can't seem to quell those powerful sweet cravings? Feel like you could eat an entire cake? Try these easy, soft, guilt-free, warm, healthy mounds of deliciousness--under 45 calories each! You will need:

1 Banana
1/2 Cup Quaker Oats (Old-Fashioned or Quick, but not instant)
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Sugar/Sweetener (Optional)
Extra Mix-Ins: Walnuts, chocolate chips, coconut, chopped apples, etc (Optional)

Step 1: Using a fork, mash the banana to an even consistency in a mixing bowl. Mix in cinnamon, vanilla, and optional sugar/extras.

Step 2: Add oats until the mixture is evenly coated (a bit of extra oats may be needed, depending on banana size).

Step 3: Form batter into 6-7 "balls" on a greased cookie sheet.

Step 4: Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Step 5: Cool for 10 minutes.

Step 6: Indulge!

Here is the calorie breakdown:

An average large banana is about 121 calories

1/2 cup Quaker Oats is 150 calories

Vanilla and cinnamon do not have enough nutritional value to amount to any caloric value.

IF you decide to pass on any extra add-ins, you will be consuming one banana and 1/2 cup of oats. 121+150 = 271.

271 divided by 6 cookies is almost exactly 45 calories per cookie.

Therefore, even if you cave and eat all 6 cookies, you will only be consuming 271 calories, with only 25 of those calories being from fat. That is 100 calories less than one Hershey's King-Size Milk Chocolate Bar (which is 370 calories, 200 of those calories being from fat).

BRING ON THE COOKIES

This post was inspired by a recipe from The Burlap Bag. See their full recipe at
http://www.theburlapbag.com/2012/07/2-ingredient-cookies-plus-the-mix-ins-of-your-choice/

Thumbnail photo courtesy of http://www.glowkitchen.com/wpcontent/uploads/2012/02/IMG_5679.jpg