Oatmeal Bars

2 1/2 cups oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup mashed bananas and/or applesauce
1/2 cup plant milk or water
1/4 cup maple syrup or brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup assorted nuts, seeds, dried fruit
      for example: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
                            1/4 cup Craisins, dates or chocolate chips
                            2 Tablespoons sunflower seeds
                            2 Tablespoons shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350f degrees.

Dry Ingredients: Blend one cup of the oats into flour. In a medium bowl, stir together oats, flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.

Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl stir together bananas and/or applesauce, milk, syrup or sugar, and vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well. Stir in the nut and dried fruit mixture.

Pour onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and shape into 1/2 inch thick slab.

Bake about 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

Allow to cool 10 minutes and cut into bars.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Similar to classic peanut butter cookies, but without any butter, oil or eggs. Recipe makes about 24 cookies. Store leftover cookies in the freezer.

1 Tablespoon flax seed meal
1/2 cup water
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl mix flax seed meal and water. Allow to thicken for about 5 minutes. Add the peanut butter and brown sugar and mix well.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Stir the flour mixture into the peanut butter mixture.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Form dough into about two dozen balls, flatten with a fork. Bake at 350f for about 12 minutes.

Snickerdoodles

1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup applesauce
2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon vinegar

In a medium bowl, mix together flour, cinnamon, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. In another bowl stir together applesauce, sugar, vanilla and vinegar. Pour flour mixture into applesauce mixture and stir to combine all together. Refrigerate dough for about 30 minutes.

In a small bowl stir together 3 Tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Form dough into 15 to 20 balls, roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and place on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 375 f degrees 13 to 17 minutes.

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Optional frosting: In a food processor or blender, grind 1/3 cup dates with 1/3 cup raw nuts such as cashews or walnuts, and a dash of vanilla with just enough water (1/3 to 1/2 cup water) to blend until creamy.