Too much "junk in the trunk" to fit into your favorite summer shorts? Like to snack? Try this healthier Oatmeal Cookie recipe to satisfy summer snack cravings. They are loaded with ingredients that are good for you, but you'd never know it because they will please any sweet tooth.
Remember, these cookies are a healthier alternative to chips and ice cream but they are not calorie free. The wholesome, healthy ingredients combine to make a great tasting treat. So put down that ice cream scooper and start baking!
The Here We Are Healthier Oatmeal Cookie Recipe:
1/4 cup butter, softened (room temperature, not melted)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar (cut down for less sweetness)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (you could substitute whole wheat flour)
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup flax seed meal (use ground flax seed to increase nutritional benefits)
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup dark chocolate, chopped (or dark cocoa chips)
1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins (I use a mixture of both)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds. Slowly add brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, salt. [TIP: First, mix these ingredients together in a measuring cup, then add to butter incrementally.] Beat in egg, then vanilla. Scrape down sides. Slowly beat in flour. Mix well.
2. Stir in oats, flax seed meal, wheat germ, chocolate, cranberries/raisins, walnuts by hand. [TIP: Mix these ingredients together in a bowl first, then stir into butter mixture. This helps to distribute the ingredients more evenly.]
3. This is a dry cookie mixture. Use a spoon to scoop out rounded portions of dough. Space cookies onto parchment covered or un-greased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. [TIP: Use the old wet-bottomed-glass trick to flatten them out, otherwise they can be too lumpy and fall apart.] 4. Bake for 10-12 minutes (check at 10 minutes for browning - depending on their thickness, they usually take a full 12 minutes). Let cool on cookie sheets for a minute, transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Yields approx. 2 dozen cookies. NOTE: I would have photographed the full batch, but most of them were eaten before I remembered to take the picture! As you can see, I used the flattening method and they baked up about 3 inches wide. The whole process took a little less than an hour from start through clean up. This is an EASY recipe for a better snack for you and your whole family to munch on. You can substitute any ingredients you prefer, like almonds instead of walnuts...Bake a batch of this Oatmeal Cookie recipe to start snacking healthier today. ENJOY!!
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