Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Chew-a-licious Cookies



(AKA Grape Nuts Cookies)
As cookies go, these little morsels are pretty healthy. With 1 1/2 cups of Grape Nuts Cereal, whole wheat flour, and about 1/3 less butter and sugar than most cookie recipes, you can eat without (too much) guilt! 


Right now our Costco has a HUGE box of Grape Nuts on sale, so I bought it with these cookies in mind. I haven't made them for several months, but they're always a favorite. 

What makes these so wonderful, other than the health benefits, is that you can make them a little different every time by changing your add-ins. This time I did white chocolate chips. I added Craisins to just the last pan-full, since not everyone loves them as much as I do. 

Here's the recipe:

Chewy-licious Cookies

1 1/2 cups Grape Nuts Cereal
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (all-purpose works, too)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla 
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup Craisins dried cranberries 
(Can substitute semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips, raisins, pecans, walnuts, dates, etc., for last 2 ingredients)

Preheat oven to 350. 
Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or grease with cooking spray. 
Place cereal in a blender or food processor. Cover and process until ground.
Mix ground cereal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. 
Beat butter and sugars in a large bowl until fluffy. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
Gradually add flour mixture to wet mix. Stir in chocolate chips and Craisins.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart on baking sheet. 
Bake 8-9 minutes until set. Cookies will be soft, but not wet. 
Cool on wire racks. Makes 40.