Protein Cookies!

Words can't describe how much I love these cookies. They are so yummy and great to have on hand when you're craving sweets or want a little pre-work out snack. I usually eat 1 everyday with my lunch because I always want something sweet to end with. My taste buds are picky. I also love that this recipe can be changed in every way. I've seriously tried it about 7 different ways. I'll post the original recipe then my favorite way to substitute!

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups (not scoops) whey protein powder ( i use vanilla, never tried another flavor)
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 1/2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup canola oil
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl and blend with fork.
3. In a separate bowl, combine next 5 ingredients and whisk together with a fork, or use an electric mixer or food processor.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix with a fork. Mix in oats, chocolate chips, and walnuts.
5. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an oiled or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes until the cookies are slightly brown on top.

Nutrients per serving (2 cookies): Calories 99, Total Fat 3 , Carbs 11 , sugars 5, protein 7.
Found in Oxygen magazine!

Whitney's substitutes:

Wheat substitute:
1 cup Coconut flour
1/2 cup almond flour  (because I think I'm allergic to wheat or gluten intolerant)

Canola oil: 
1/4 cup natural applesauce    or
1/4 cup coconut oil                   or
1/4 cup olive oil                         or
1/4 cup agave
I've tried them all except olive oil (my friend tried it and she said it worked). Using the canola oil definitely makes them yummy and hold together easily. Coconut oil makes them more firm. Agave plus the honey makes them super  moist and mushy but still yummy. I just recently tried using applesauce and I really liked it but the dough is more crumbly. Overall, the taste is still good.

Semisweet chocolate chips:
Dark chocolate chips

I've never put walnuts in them but I'm sure the texture would be fun and taste great! Everything else I do the same. If you do substitute an ingredient, remember that the nutritional value will change. I  make these about every week or every other week. My favorites to use are the canola oil or applesauce. I roll them into little balls to bake.