No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

It's hot outside, and you just want a quick cookie, without heating up the oven.  You also don't want to make several dozen, you just want a couple to satisfy the urge.  Here's just the thing!  A no bake chocolate oatmeal cookie.  It only makes a quick 9 cookies, and if you're watching your sugar, you can substitute the sugar with a sugar substitute, (but sugar taste much better in these cookies).  Let me show how I make them.

You will need:
1/3 cup sugar, (or sugar substitute)
1 large pinch of salt
2 teas. unsweetened cocoa
2 Tabs fat free or low fat milk
1/4 teas vanilla extract
2 Tabs peanut butter, (smooth or crunch)
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup Craisins, (optional)
parchment paper

In a medium microwave safe bowl combine the sugar, cocoa, salt, and milk.  Mix together well.

Microwave on high for 30 seconds.  Stir once.  Continue microwaving for another 30 to 45 seconds until the mixture is boiling.

 Add in the peanut butter and vanilla extract.  Stir until blended well.

 Add in the oatmeal and Craisins, (or you can use raisins).  Stir well to incorporate into the chocolate mixture.

Drop unto parchment paper, using a tablespoon.  Place in the freezer for 15 or 20 minutes until the chocolate sets up.

And you now have a quick, easy, cookie without heating up the kitchen.  

It's just enough to satisfy the urge.  Nice and chocolate flavor, with the oats and sweetened cranberries.

Enjoy !

Cranberry-Oatmeal Cookies

February is "Heart Healthy Month"!  And Oatmeal is a heart healthy food.  Oatmeal cookies are a long time favorite of kids and adults alike.  But, when they are filled with fats, they're not so heart healthy.  I have taken the ordinary oatmeal cookie and remade it more heart friendly, without losing the flavor.  This recipe will make 3 1/2 dozen good size cookies and you can make them in about 1 hour, (start to finish).
First preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  I like to line my cookie sheets with parchment paper, but it's not necessary, (this just helps with cleanup).

You will need:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 teas cinnamon
1/4 teas nutmeg
1/4 teas ginger
2 ripe bananas
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.  Whisk together.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.  (I like to use a fork to break apart and mash up my brown sugar and get all the lumps out).

Beat the banana and sugars together for about 30 seconds on medium speed.

 Add the vanilla and eggs.  Beat just until combined.

Add in 1/3 of the flour mixture and beat on low speed until combined.  Add in another 1/3 of flour mixture, and continue until combine, then add in final flour mixture and beat until all flour mixture is combined.

 Stir in the oats.

Stir in the dried cranberries.

NOTE:  if you want to add nuts at this point they will give your cookies an extra protein boost and taste yummy.  Try pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons unto NON greased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.

Bake for 11 minutes, until cookies edges are golden.

 Let cool on wire rack for a couple of minutes.

 Once you can handle the cookies, remove from the cookie sheet and let the cookies cool on a wire rack.

OK - now for the "quality control check".  YUP - YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY !!  A nice soft cookie with good texture.

And of course you have to have a glass of ice cold milk with your cookies.

Give these a try, and you won't feel guilty about treating your family to an old fashion "good for you treat".

Enjoy.

Don't forget to check out the peanut butter- oatmeal cookies.

Peanut Butter-Oatmeal Cookies

My husband loves oatmeal cookies, he also loves peanut butter cookies.  What could be better than putting the two together and making a Peanut Butter-Oatmeal Cookie?  These are really the best of two cookies in one!  This recipe makes 3 dozen good size cookies. And by substituting 1/2 of the margarine with applesauce, I am reducing the fat.
First preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  I like to line my baking sheets with parchment paper, (to help with clean up), but it's not necessary.

You will need:
2 cups quick cooking oats
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, (slightly beaten)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a medium bowl combine the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Stir the ingredients to mix everything, then set aside.

In a large bowl add the margarine, applesauce, and peanut butter.  Beat on medium speed until smooth.

Add in the brown sugar and granulated sugar.  Beat until blended into the peanut butter mixture.

Add in the eggs, beat until blended in. It is now becoming very smooth and creamy.

Add in the vanilla, beat until blended in.

Add in 1/3 of the flour/oat mixture and beat just until incorporated, add another 1/3 of the flour/oat mixture and continue beating until incorporated, and then add the remaining 1/3 flour/oat mixture and beat until just incorporated into the peanut butter mixture.

The mixture will be a wonderful peanut butter color.  Now stir in the chocolate chips.  (You can also substitute dried cranberries or nuts.)

Drop by heaping tablespoons until baking sheet, (if you are not using parchment paper, do NOT grease the baking sheet).   Bake for 12 - 13 minutes until the cookies are set and golden.

The cookies look delicious and smell wonderful.  Set the cookie sheet on a wire rack for 5 minutes to cool, then transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.

And now you have 3 dozen wonderful cookies to share.

And what goes better with a couple of cookies, a glass of cold milk.

ENJOY !!

Fresh Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Those who read the Pumpkin Bread post saw how easy it is to transform that Halloween pumpkin into delicious ready to use pumpkin puree just like you buy in the store, for much less cost.  Now that you have some pumpkin puree on hand, let's make some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
First preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
This recipe makes 3 dozen cookies
You will need the following ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teas baking powder
1/2 teas baking soda
1/2 teas salt
1 1/2 teas cinnamon
1/2 teas ground ginger
1/2 cup room temperature unsalted butter
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups pumpkin puree  (not pumpkin pie mix, if you are using canned pumpkin)
2 large eggs
1 teas vanilla extract
grated rind of 1 orange
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper, (this helps with clean up), or lightly grease the baking sheets.

 In a medium bowl, whisk together:
flour
baking powder
baking soda
salt
spices
give them a stir, to mix everything together

In a large bowl, cream together the sugar, brown sugar, butter, and applesauce, (note: years ago this recipe originally called for 1 cup of butter, but I reworked the recipe and now use 1/2 cup of butter and 1/2 cup applesauce.  Saves on the fat and also adds more flavor).

Grate the rind from the orange, (you will have approximately 2 Tabs).  I find that the addition of the fresh orange zest adds another layer of flavor with the pumpkin that is so good.  Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and pumpkin.  Mix on very low speed until blended.

Stir in the chocolate chips, (and if you are adding nuts stir them in also).

 Using a tablespoon, drop onto the parchment lined baking sheet.  I do a dozen per sheet, so there is enough room for each cookie to spread and cook evenly.   Cook for 13 - 15 minutes. Watch so they don't burn!

 Remove from oven and cool on rack for a few minutes before removing from baking sheet.

Yummy - I just couldn't resist doing a quality control check!!    Give these a try and let me know how your family likes them.  Check back and I'll show you how to make a pumpkin pie using the pumpkin that we pureed.  This recipe for pie is fantastic.

Enjoy your cookies !!