Five-Star Cookies

This recipe uses healthy barley flakes, which are slightly crisper than oatmeal. They are available from most health food stores.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons hazelnuts, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup pitted dried dates, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup barley flakes

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 4 tablespoons apple juice

How to make it  20 minutes



• 1

  Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mix the chopped hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, apricots, and dates together in a bowl. Add the sugar, barley flakes, flour, and baking soda, and stir to combine.
• 2

  Mix together the canola oil and apple juice, and pour over the dry mixture. Stir until the dry ingredients are just moistened.
• 3

  Drop the batter by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Using the back of a fork dipped in flour, gently flatten each ball and neaten the edges with your fingers.
• 4

  Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool. These can be kept in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

More Ideas:

• Use unsalted cashew nuts instead of hazelnuts.
• Substitute oatmeal for the barley flakes.