Healthy Thanksgiving Alternatives: Vegan Sweet Potato Cranberry Cookies

Thanksgiving is around the corner.

For so many busy, working families in Bedford-Stuyvesant, this time of year is the only opportunity for relatives to gather in one place, relax and give thanks for the blessings of the past year and for those yet to come.

Food -- flavorful, down home, good food -- has always been central to Bed-Stuy family gatherings, a tradition that is steadfast and uncomprimising.

However, the health consequences of a growing obesity and diabetes epidemic in the community has created an urgent need to begin changing our relationship with food-- the types of foods we choose and how we prepare them.

Every day until Thanksgiving, Bed-Stuy Patch will feature a different healthy alternative to cooking up a flavorful Thanksgiving meal.

Check out today's pick for the tastiest and healthiest Thanksgiving recipe alternatives to help you save on the extra holiday pounds without cutting back on flavor!

Recipe #3

Vegan Sweet Potato Cranberry Cookies

Rich in beta-carotene, sweet potatoes reach their peak during the fall and winter seasons. Take advantage of this orange-fleshed root vegetable by baking it into a scrumptious cookie full of healthy whole grains.

Makes 20 cookies

Ingredients:
2/3 c. sweet potato puree
2 tbsp. ground flax seed
1/4 c. almond milk
1/3 c. canola oil
1/2 c. maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. spelt flour
1 c. whole-wheat pastry flour
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. rolled oats
3/4 c. toasted pecans, chopped
1 c. dried cranberries

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, mix together sweet potato puree, ground flax seed and almond milk. Add the remaining wet ingredients (oil, syrup and vanilla) and mix well. Sift in spelt flour, whole-wheat pastry flour, spices, soda and salt and stir until full incorporated. Fold in the oats, pecans and dried cranberries. Using a 1/4 c. measuring cup, scoop cookie dough and drop on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave 2" of space between each cookie. Press down the scoops to form a flat patty. Bake for 15 minutes or until cookies are a light golden brown.

Recipe provided by Live Laugh Eat

For more of BSP's picks for healthy Thanksgiving alternatives, check out:

• Healthy Thanksgiving Alternatives: Spicy Pumpkin Soup
• Healthy Thangsiving Alternatives: Wild Rice Shiitake Stuffing