Writing Treats: Low Guilt Peanut Butter Cookies

My writing day starts super early, at about 5 a.m. because I enjoy the peace and quiet before the rest of the family wakes up and the house erupts into a buzzing hive of chaos and activity. By 3 p.m. I hit a slump and desperately need a pick-me-up treat. Preferably something healthy and yummy.

One of the best answers I found are peanut butter cookies! Made without flour and sugar, the cookies are high in protein and full of that wonderful nutty peanut butter flavor. Have these with a cold glass of milk and you're adding more protein and calcium too. So much better than grabbing a caffeinated soft drink!

Here's the recipe:

1 cup creamy peanut butter (you could use the chunky if you wanted)
3/4 cup Splenda or Stevia (OR if you're not worried about sugar, go for brown sugar)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Garnish: dark semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking tray with foil (for easy clean up).
2. Mix the peanut butter, sweetener, egg and the vanilla extract (if using) in a bowl until all ingredients are well melded.
3. Scoop out a tablespoon of the dough and plop it on the prepared tray.
4. Using a fork, roll the scooped dough into a ball, flatten it to create the crisscross pattern.
5. Bake for 9 minutes.
6. If using chocolate chips, press them into the warm cookies gently.
7. Let cool a bit, then enjoy...of course, with a glass of cold milk!

If you know of any good, easy treats that are both healthy and delicious, please let me know!