Healthier cookies

My kids have noticed that mom has not made cookies in quite a while.  It isn't their fault their mom has no self control.  :)

I found this recipe for healthier cookies and it includes almond butter so it must be the best cookie ever!  It contains much better ingredients that I can live with rather than having 2 sticks of butter sitting on my counter for hours to soften.

Perhaps it is because I haven't had a cookie fresh from the oven in so long, but seriously, this is one of the best darn cookies I have had.  I'm not joking.  I would have no problem telling you that this cookie would do, or it was ok.  It is really, really good!  I thought I would miss the loads of butter and refined sugar and the loftiness of all purpose flour, but this cookie is really delicious!  I may still eat them all, but I won't feel as bad about it.  HAHA!  I am totally joking...i think.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
• 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup ground flax meal
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup blue agave nectar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Pulse the walnuts in a food processor several times to chop; continue processing until the walnuts are ground into flour; transfer to a bowl. Mix in the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, flax meal, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until thoroughly combined.
3. Combine the almond butter, canola oil, agave nectar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in the food processor and process a few seconds to blend the ingredients well; transfer the almond butter mixture to a large bowl and fold in the dried cherries and chocolate chips. Mix the walnut-oatmeal mixture into the almond butter mixture (dough will be very thick).
4. Scoop up heaping teaspoons of dough, and form into balls; lay the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and flatten the cookies with a spatula. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheets before removing to finish cooling on wire racks.