Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Granola & Hint of Chocolate Cookies


There are so many wonderful bakers out there; I mean, really good bakers. When I look at some of the things that pop out of their ovens, I’m in amazement. Sometimes things like pop-tart cupcakes and peanut butter bacon cookies catch my eye because they are a little out of the ordinary, but other times, I’m hooked because I see an ingredient or a combination I love.
This is what happened today. A blog that I follow happened to post chocolate pretzel cookies. As I read her post, however, I found she got her idea from another food blogger who creates something called compost cookies. You heard right, compost cookies. Sound gross? It’s not. It’s incredible and adaptable.
Get up and look in your pantry. Do you have chocolate? Cereal? Oatmeal? Pretzels? Candy? Dried fruit? Coconut? Anything? Yes. Yes you do. Use it! Go nuts with this one. Well…
My problem with that comment is that I’m the type of person to go to Coldstone Creamery and ask for brownies, rainbow sprinkles, caramel, chocolate chips, pretzels, whipped cream and reese’s and then wonder why it tastes horrible. Sometimes, it’s best to keep things simple. So, if you get hyper about sweets and treats, throw in whatever you want, but if you want a little more guidance, and a chewy cookie with a different texture and subtle sweetness, try mine! 
This cookie was absolutely perfect. Most people I know can throw cookies back easily... almost too easily. It's all to common to start with a nibble and end with an empty tin. These cookies, however, have a little more je ne sais quoi to them. I think the whole wheat flour's a nuttier texture and the granola give this cookie more of a texture. Don't get me wrong, these still melt in your mouth, but I guess they just melt a little slower.

What ya need:
1 cup + 2 tbsp all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1.5 sticks of butter, melted and cooled
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1.5 cups of your favorite Granola (I used Special K Low-Fat Touch of Honey Granola Cereal)  
¼ cup dark or milk chocolate chips OR chopped chocolate bar of your choice (I used Ghiradelli Squares)

What ya do:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Combine flours, salt and baking soda in a bowl and set aside.
2. Cream together sugars and butter for about 3 minutes, or until fully combined and smooth. Add in egg plus yolk, and continue creaming until completely mixed in. Add in vanilla.
3. Add dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
4. Fold in granola and chocolate chips. (Make sure your granola is not in any big chunks!!)
5. If you have a coffee scoop (about 2 tbsp) use this to make even rounded scoops of dough and place on no-stick cookie sheet. (I got this tip from Monet: Freeze your dough for about 30 minutes to help the cookie keep it’s shape).
6. Bake for about 14 minutes. Cookies should be lightly golden.

You'll love this, especially if you're a granola fan. If you'd rather no chocolate, add in raisins or even toasted nuts. Give these everything-goes cookies a try! You won't regret it!


10 comments:

Cookin' Canuck said...

Great idea to add granola in here - the extra fiber makes me feel a bit better about eating an extra cookie.

Chef Dennis Littley said...

that cookie is definitely a yummmmmmm!!

wish I had a plateful to test!!
Cheers
Dennis

Monet said...

Hi sweet girl! I'm so glad you adapted the recipe. This looks yummy and would work well in my kitchen. I have so much granola lying around. I hope you have a wonderful evening and that you enjoy these cookies!

Anonymous said...

This is a great recipe. And I love your photos.

Cherine said...

Wonderful cookies, love the addition of granola!

Drick said...

sounds like an incredible cookie, like the name of the compost cookie too, something earthy about it, like the granola

The Chocolate Priestess said...

It's like a healthier monster cookie.

Magic of Spice said...

The perfect cookie...yum!

cookies and cups said...

The cookies look so great! I will have to check out those pretzel cookies too!

Rick said...

It is like a trail mix! But slightly unhealthier. Which is a good thing.