I tried out a new heart-healthy cookie this weekend.
I know what you’re thinking: heart-healthy and cookie don’t seem to go together! But trust me, go together they do. Try it for yourself!
- 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
- 1/3 c. whole-wheat flour
- 1 1/2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 t. baking soda
- 1/2 t. salt
- 6 t. unsalted butter
- 3/4 c. packed light brown sugar
- 1 c. dried cherries
- 1 t. vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350F. Combine flours, oats, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Stir thoroughly to combine. Melt better in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat; add brown sugar, stirring until smooth. Add sugar mixture to flour mixture. Beat until well blended. Add cherries, vanilla and egg, beat until combined. Fold in chocolate. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2″ apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper. (Cookies will spread.) Bake for 12 minutes. Cool on pans for 3 minutes or until almost firm. Remove cookies from pans; cool on wire racks. Yield: 30 cookies
Maybe a bit of ginger, nutmeg or cinnamon might help, or IF you like raisins, substitute those for the dried cherries.
lemon or orange zest?
almond extract (often used with cherry flavors)?
Interesting ideas!!!
I'm definitely keeping the cherries – dark chocolate and cherries is a favorite combination.
I think I'll divide my next batch into smaller portions and try each idea so we can sample all of the variations to see which – if any – works best.
I made a batch of these cookies today. I added 1 tsp. cinnamon–I thought I had almond extract, then found out I didn't. They got rave reviews (4 people)!