ish.  the most amazing suffix ever created.

there is no exact or precise definition on the leeway it gives.  “i’ll be there at 6-ish”…the simple act of adding that “ish” on the end means that 6:07 is no longer considered late.  it’s a beautiful thing, really.

so what is a healthy-ish monster cookie??  the name of this cookie always makes me think back to the cookie monster on sesame street.  apparently his cookie addiction was not positively influencing the childhood obesity rates ~ or had too much of a positive correlation on these numbers, rather!  so, the original cookie monster now promotes cookies to be a “sometimes” food (i call this a cheat meal).  even with the -ish added onto the name of these cookies, they are still only a “sometimes” food…but definitely healthier than the original.  and i can promise you, they taste just as good…maybe even better!!

the making of this recipe was inspired by my husband’s little sister who just came down from michigan to visit us for a few days.  i know she could care less about eating healthy… so, i asked her what her favorite cookie was just to give me a fun recipe makeover challenge.  (and also subconsciously influence her opinion of healthier food…forever!) bwahaha!

success.

serious success.  she loved them.

my original recipe made 36 cookies…a monster batch!  so, i reduced it down on here to only make a dozen…do with it as you please. :)

healthy(ish) monster cookies

• 2 tsp organic coconut oil (softened, but not completely melted)
• 2 tbsp organic butter (softened at room temperature)
• 1/2 cup organic coconut sugar (or sucanat)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup organic creamy peanut butter
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1.5 cups oats
• 3 tbsp milled flax seed
• 2 oz. mini chocolate chips
• 1/2-3/4 cup pretzel m&m’s (i placed about 3 on each cookie)

instructions:

preheat oven to 350 degrees.  cover cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

using a stand or hand mixer, cream together coconut sugar, coconut oil, and butter.  then add the egg, vanilla, and peanut butter and mix well.  next, add in the oats and baking soda and blend until completely mixed together.

stir in the remaining ingredients, except for the pretzel m&m’s…i like to place those on after i scoop the cookie dough so the amount on each cookie is consistent…and i think they look prettier that way!  (however, you may mix these in if you’d like.)

using a cookie scoop (mine measures 1 1/2 tbsp each) place the balls of cookie dough on the parchment paper and press in the pretzel m&m’s into each one.

bake for 9-10 minutes, then let rest on the cookie sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack…this ensures a chewy and delicious cookie!  let cool for 10-15 minutes before eating.