Honey Bunches Chocolate Chip Cookies

The inspiration for these cookies came from a cookbook I received from The Daily Meal call "Cook yourself Sexy" by Candice Kumai.  The recipes make smart swaps to cut calories without sacrificing flavor.  One of her recipes was Cornflake Chocolate Chip Cookies.  The cereral in our house lately has been Honey Bunches of Oats - with almonds.  I thought this would a delicious subsitution since I'll eat the cereal straight out of the box!  It's full of almonds and oat clusters plus the flakes and made these cookies amazing!

3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup mashed banana

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 cups Honey Bunches of Oats, slightly crushed

2 Tbsp. sweetened coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.

Whisk together the butter, mashed banana, brown sugar, and vanilla until cream and fluffy.

Add the 2 eggs and whisk well to combine

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

Gently sift the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, whisking to incorporate.

Lightly fold in the chocolate chips, cereal and coconut, if desired.

Using a small ice cream scoop, place the cookies on the baking sheet, leaving 1-1/2 inches between cookies.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes about 3-1/2 dozen.

~Adapted from Cook Yourself Sexy