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Go ahead, break the rules -- bake cookies for breakfast.

Cookies for breakfast? We’re not talking about breaking open a pack of Oreos; Ellie’s breakfast cookies are loaded with whole grains, fruit, nuts cereal and even vegetables. They’re hand-held and portable, so great for when you’re on-the-run. If you do have some time to sit and relax though, give them a dunk in your morning coffee or a glass of milk.

These cookies freeze well; double the batch and stock your freezer so you’ll have a quick meal to grab on busy weekday mornings.

Breakfast Cookies

Recipe courtesy of Ellie Krieger

Yield: 12 cookies, serving size 1 cookie

3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup (1 small jar) strained carrot baby food
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup bran cereal flakes
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup walnut pieces, lightly toasted in a dry skillet for 2 minutes, until fragrant, then chopped

Place rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Whisk together flours, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Combine butter, oil and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on high speed, scraping down sides if necessary, until sugars have dissolved and mixture is light in color, about 1 minute. Add egg, carrot puree and vanilla and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add flour mixture and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add oats, flakes, raisins and walnuts and mix over low speed just until incorporated. Dough will be slightly sticky and less cohesive than traditional cookie dough. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using between 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter, form a ball and place on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining batter, leaving about 3 inches between cookies. Wet hands and use palm of hand to flatten cookies until about 1/4-inch thick. Bake for 12 minutes, until cookies are fragrant but still soft. Let cookies cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Watch Ellie make the cookies.

More Sweet Breakfast Ideas:

Apple Muffins

It’s a Good Morning Muffins

Blueberry-Almond French Toast Bake

Chocolate and Strawberry Stuffed French Toast

Moist Zucchini-Bran Muffins

Carrot and Zucchini Mini Muffins

Peach French Toast Bake