Sunday, March 11, 2012

Coconut Oatmeal Cookies


My mid-morning snack focus has turned from cookies to granola bars lately, so I've been holding on to this recipe for quite some time. This cookie rides the line between healthy and indulgent, and is a wonderful way to sneak in some nutrition while still feeling like you're treating yourself. Whole wheat pastry flour keeps the cookies light and tender and gives them a slightly nutty flavor, old-fashioned oats add a nice chewiness, coconut lends a touch of richness, with just enough sweetness from the brown rice syrup. These cookies make an excellent snack with a cup of tea or a delightful light dessert with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. It won't be too long before summer temperatures arrive and firing up the oven will sound less than appealing, so use these first days of spring to indulge in some delicious baked goods.

Coconut Oatmeal Cookies
makes about 2 dozen
adapted from Whole Foods Market

1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup fine unsweetened coconut
3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup brown rice syrup
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon  extract

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine flour, coconut, ground oatmeal, soda and salt in a medium sized bowl. Blend oil, rice syrup and barley malt together in a small bowl. Add egg, vanilla and orange extract. Combine liquid ingredients with flour mixture. Batter will be stiff.

2. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a lightly oiled cookie sheet. Press cookies with a fork to about 1/2 inch thickness. Bake for 12—14 minutes or until bottoms are golden.

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