58| healthy cookies

a few weeks ago, heartoflight posted her recipe for my favourite cookies in the word: linzer cookies {which are essentially incredibly yummy jam sandwich cookies, but better}. i made said cookies, i loved said cookies, and my waist...well, if my waist had eyes it would give me a look that says "srsly? do you know how much butter you put in those suckers? you are on a diet, aren't you?"

in fact, i'm pretty sure andrew's response to my making cookies was pretty close to that:

you know, not that i'm complaining of anything, but it seems like whenever you're on a diet, you always go and bake. i like your baking, but it just seems like self-sabotage

not quite in so many words, but that was the idea. moderation, says i. i also have been getting into the {awful} habit of getting breakfast at the coffee shop again. chalk it up to my trainer quitting/being fired/disappearing into oblivion and not having trained with anyone since saturday {aside: i'm meeting with my new trainer tonight. he's a hockey player. i shall report back tomorrow}.

all said, i indirectly promised heartoflight that i would post my "healthy" cookie recipe. they're sort of like a breakfast cookies, which is what makes them healthy...so i am claiming. so, without further ado, i present yummy oatmeal chocolate breakfast cookies

ingredigents...

1 cup butter
1 cup {packed} dark brown sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon true vanilla extract
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour {i usually mix half white flour and half whole wheat for these}
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips {about 12 ounces}
1 cup sunflower seeds {or other seed/nut that is small and tasty, i like pumpkin seeds in the fall}
1/2 cup raisins, dates, apricots, or other dried fruit of your choice {optional}

now what?

preheat oven to 350°F.
lightly grease 2 heavy large baking sheets.
beat margarine and both sugars in large bowl until fluffy and well blended.
beat in eggs 1 at a time, the vanilla.
sift flour, baking soda and salt over margarine mixture and stir to blend.
mix in oats, the chocolate chips and nuts/seeds, dried fruit.
working in batches, drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared sheets. bake cookies until golden brown, about 14 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks and cool completely.

*note: if you want crunchy cookies, preheat/melt the butter. if you want soft, chewy cookies then use the butter more or less directly from the fridge*

nom nom nom. who needs croissants when you have these?

image martha