My pregnancy staple: The Mookie

I've been advised to cut out sugar from my diet for the remainder of my pregnancy. This is a huge challenge for me, as I have a mouth full of sweet teeth. I've realized that I do better when I satisfy my sweet tooth in moderation, than when I ignore it all together. The latter is a recipe for disaster.

I discovered a recipe a year or so ago for a healthier version of a chocolate chip cookie. My family fondly named it the "mookie", as the first batches tasted like half muffin, half cookie. Each time I whip up a new batch, I play with different ingredients. Making this mookie has become a hobby of mine, as each batch tastes and looks quite different. The coconut and walnut are my most recent additions.

This mookie uses northern beans, pureed, to replace most of the butter. It also replaces most of (or all) the white flour with finely ground oats and wheat flour. I've used soy flour, buckwheat flour, and other strange alternatives, though I find the mixture of oatmeal, wheat, and white flour the tastiest.

The recipe originally called for brown sugar, as opposed to refined sugar. I've experimented with brown rice syrup, aguave nectar (expensive) and finally settled on natural honey as a replacement.

One cookie hits the spot for me. Not only do I get some fiber and protein, but I also satisfy my sweet tooth. Joe and I keep these cookies in the freezer, and eat them frozen.

So, here goes. Rather than keep this recipe to myself, I thought I'd share it with any of you adventurous ones out there with sweet teeth!

1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats, finely ground
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 can great northern beans, "lightly" drained (keep a tbsp. or so liquid in there)
3 Tbsp butter (though I often use less)
1 cup honey
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Semi-sweet chocolate/carob chips - add to your liking
Unsweeted coconut - add to your liking
Chopped walnuts - add to your liking

1. Pre-heat oven to 350
2. Combine ground oats with flour, baking powder, soda, and salt in med. bowl
3. In blender, puree the beans with reserved liquid until smooth.
4. Combine bean puree, butter, honey, eggs and vanilla in large bowl and beat well.
5. Beat or stir in oat and flour mixture. Stir in chips, coconut and walnuts.
Bake! (I never time (or even measure exactly), so its up to you on this one.)

Enjoy!!