I am not a runner. For me, the thrill of endorphins coursing through the body is completely overshadowed by the potential for sweat, bad weather, and leg cramps. My father was an avid runner, but the running gene skipped a generation. My daughter, Meira, is a runner. She actually enjoys the challenge. Last weekend, Meira completed a half-marathon for the second time. That’s 13.1 miles! I think she is amazing. So, I baked her Marathon Cookies.
Marathon Cookies are a chewy oats and peanut butter treat, packed with dark chocolate, peanuts, and dried fruit. They happen to be gluten free.
These cookies are great just for munching, but they also provide a boost of the nutrients a runner (or enthusiastic spectator) needs to keep going. Marathon Cookies are like flourless monster cookies with nutritional punch.
A small amount of protein powder in the dough is undetectable. I experimented with adding different quantities of protein powder to this recipe, which seemed to be the easiest way to create nutrient rich cookies.
Unfortunately, any more than 2 tablespoons was noticeable, leaving a dry, kind of powdery aftertaste. Lots of packaged high protein bars have that aftertaste.
Because Marathon Cookies aren’t intended as protein bars, but scrumptious cookies with protein, I went with the lower amount. Feel free to double the amount if you don’t mind the aftertaste and need more protein. The protein powder can also be left out completely.
Marathon cookies are good to eat before a long run, after a long run, or while standing along a race route, waiting to cheer as your runner passes by. These peanuty cookies are also an irresistible, nutritious after school snack.
With college exams around the corner, I will be mailing Marathon Cookies to Chicago, to help sustain my college son in his finals race toward graduation!
Ingredients
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 ¼ cups oats quick cooking or regular
- ½ cup finely chopped dark chocolate
- ½ cup chopped peanuts
- ½ cup dried assorted fruit bits or any chopped dried fruit such as cranberries or raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Linea baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter and peanut butter.
- Add granulated and brown sugars. Mix to combine.
- Beat in eggs (one at a time), vanilla, protein powder, and baking soda.
- Mix in oats. Then stir in chocolate, peanuts, and fruit bits.
- Using a medium (2 tablespoon) scoop, place balls of cookie batter 2” apart on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.
- Cool on the baking sheet for about 3 minutes before using a spatula to transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- When cool, store in an air tight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
Love peanut cookies? Check out this collection of 20 Irresistible Peanut Cookies to bake right now!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
Yummy! Such a delicious snacks. They seem so easy to be prepared!
Cindy says
Will make these tomorrow and pack some in my pouch for DURING the race. I’m actually walk/running a marathon the day after tomorrow and I know that while I’m walking a few bites will energize me right when I need it most near the end of the race. Thanks for posting. 🙂
The Monday Box says
Have a great run, Cindy! Good luck! I hope the cookies add a delicious boost to your marathon walk/run!
shannon says
Congrats to Meira! That’s amazing: i think anyone is amazing for being able to run…well, let’s get real, basically I’m amazed that anyone can run for any length of time b/c i’m also not a runner. 🙂 Like i’m horrible at it, and although i can walk for probably days at a time, ask me to run…different story. So she has my respect for those 13.1 miles…and you have my total love for making these cookies for her. So sweet!
The Monday Box says
Thank you, Shannon! (And welcome home to StL! I have done the box-it-up-and-move-it thing several times in Florida. 🙂 ) As a total nonrunner, when I see Meira run and achieve crazy long running goals, I am in awe. The least I can do is bake her really tasty cookies! 🙂
Julie says
Ooh these look quite yummy, and the recipe is similar to a lactation cookie recipe – with all the healthy ingredients 🙂 Good for you making marathon cookies to show your support.
The Monday Box says
Thank you, Julie! I wish I had know about lactation cookies decades ago when I was a new mom! Any excuse for a cookie works for me. 🙂 These Marathon cookies are delicious for any activity!