Blueberry Cardamon Oatmeal Cookie

I am a cookie freak and have to have one every day. My freezer is stocked with a wide array. This particular gluten free cookie has heart healthy oats and walnut butter as well as the perfect combo of dried blueberries, lemon zest, and cardamon spice. They are a twist on the traditional oatmeal cookie and have a delicate flavor profile perfect for spring or summer. I can't decide if I like the orange/cranberry version or the lemon/blueberry version better. I have posted some variations at the end of this page in case you aren't a fan of blueberry/cardamon.

Makes about 18 cookies

Ingredients:

Dry

• 1/3 cup oat flour

• 1 1/2 rolled oats-not quick oats (I used this one)

• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed

• 1 tbsp ground chia seed

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1 1/2 tsp ground cardamon

• Pinch of nutmeg

• 1/3 cup dried blueberries (I used this one)

• Rind from one lemon

Wet

• 1/2 cup walnut butter butter (sub pecan butter) *See note below on how to make your own walnut butter.

• 1/3 cup maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (I have to set mine to 375 to read 350 on thermometer)

2. Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl.

3. Beat together the wet ingredients until creamy using a hand-held mixer or Cuisinart.

4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out dough and form dough into a ball. Place balls on parchment lined cookie tray and flatten balls slightly for a thicker cookie or flatten balls more for a thinner cookie. They will spread slightly.

5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until browned and depending on how soft or crunchy you like your cookies. Cool on cookie rack.

*How to make your own walnut butter: If you don't have 1/2 cup walnut butter, make your own by placing 1 1/4 cup walnuts (toasted or raw) in a small Cuisinart. Blend until creamy for about 3-5 minutes scraping down sides as needed until it forms a creamy butter. It is easier to make the nut butter if you use enough walnuts to fill up the Cuisinart thus making more nut butter than you need for this recipe.

OatmealCookie Variations:

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: Use raisins instead of blueberries and add 1 tsp cinnamon instead of cardamon.

Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies: Use dried cranberries instead of blueberries, pecan butter instead of walnut butter, and add orange zest from one orange instead of lemon zest.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies: Use peanut butter in place of walnut butter, add 1/4 tsp cinnamon instead of cardamon, and add 1/2 cup chocolate chips instead of blueberries.

Cranberry Cardamon Quick Oat Cookie