Oh dairy free! Ever since the “lactose intolerant” diagnosis of my youth, I’m doing nothing to avoid dairy. You heard me. Nothing. How I love dairy and all things dairy. Mmmm… dairy. Call my love for it weird if you wish, I think you are missing out. These cookies though, are diary free. I didn’t believe it at first, but it’s true. They are delicious and kind to my belly. Imagine that! I know you will love banana walnut cookies as much as I do.
This week we are celebrating my son’s 14th birthday. Can you believe how the time buzzes by so quickly? I was 17, just a baby myself. I never changed a diaper before he arrived. I had no idea was I was getting into. He scared me. Honestly. I thought I would break him, or screw it up. I was terrified, but madly in love.
It took 15 hours. His head wouldn’t drop, but other than that everything went well. It was hard work, which is an understatement. My sister was in the delivery room next to mine delivering my (soon to be) nephew. My mom was a mess running back and forth between rooms. It was a sight. In the end though, I won. Two rival sisters and it cannot be changed. I brought the first grandchild into this world.
Then… after all that hard work this little boy transformed me. I was a selfish little girl but he made me a mom, willing to lay down my life for his. It was diapers, messes and boo boos in the early years. Seeing our future was always blurry until recently.
Now that he’s 14, I am just now realizing that he won’t be mine forever. I knew he would grow up, it’s just that the true realization of it is only hitting me now. I find myself spending my days no longer nursing boo boos, but preparing him to be a loving husband and a strong man. He will be my first to leave the nest, and I know I will miss him. Every moment.
At least I will be able to enjoy some dairy free banana walnut cookies when my heart aches for my little boy. For now though, I will hold on to every moment I have with him and never take them for granted. Happy Birthday “Bubby”!
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 3 bananas, mashed
- 1 1/3 cups oatmeal
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. You will want to grease and flour a cookie sheet to ensure your cookies will not stick.
- In a large bowl or your stand mixer, beat shortening for at least 30 seconds until smooth. Stir in the sugar. Begin adding the eggs, bananas, oats and walnuts mixing well after each item is added to the bowl.
- Sift flour, soda, nutmeg and salt into the large bowl with the batter. Gently fold batter until combined.
- Drop batter by spoonfuls onto the greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire baking rack. Cool before enjoying.