My Daughter's Vegan Pantry-Sweet Treats

     I've learned a little bit about alternative baking options that don't rely on animal products and refined sugars. I won't lie-I prefer the taste of the non-vegan items, but that may be more of a familiarity thing. Over time, if I nixed all animal products and refined sugars to the vegan and whole food variety, I'd grow more accustomed to those flavors and pretty sure my old versions would seem odd tasting after a time. You can do your own search of all the alternatives to various ingredients and have much more in depth answers. This post is just my own limited experience on a staple baked good.

• Flax Seed Eggs, 1 Tbsp ground flax seed, with 3 Tbsp water in place of a large egg
• Applesauce, pumpkin puree, or mashed bananas in place of oil-though I do find the bananas add a slight banana flavor, though the other two don't really add a change
• Pure maple syrup in place of both white and brown sugar

Those were my substitution for these peanut butter oat cookies. I did use 1 C of regular baking flour as well.

Flax seed egg, prepared and set aside to side
mixed with 1 mashed banana 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/2 cup peanut butter

Separately I had 1 1/2 cups quick oats, 1 cup flour, and 1/2 tsp of both salt and baking soda all mixed together.

     I added the dry to the wet ingredients. Mine was a bit dry so I added a bit more syrup and a few sprinkles of water.  I let the cookie dough cool in the refrigerator about an hour before I baked them up. They sort of stayed the shape they were baking-not much spreading like a regular cookie.  I baked about 9 minutes n a 350 degree oven. 

     Like most of my recipes, it was a bit trial, but I figured the result wouldn't be too bad with the combination of ingredients and I was right. A vegan choclate chip would be a nice addition, or nuts or seeds. I think these easily could be baked in a pan and cut into a bar shape if easier for packing. A nice bonus, all these ingredients are shelf stable, so ingredients will last if you buy in bigger sizes which are more economical. 

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