Oatmeal Fresh Cranberry Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

IMG_8646

It hasn't stopped snowing, the temperature is dropping fast (it's getting to the point the dog doesn't even want to be outside) and the mister is busy hand shoveling three long driveways. So I figured that in between all the laundry folding, plant watering , and all around sitting on my butt  that I am doing  INSIDE, that  I would be so super nice and crank the stove up and make my love some cookies.I love making cookies, especially when I have chores to do. I think part of it is that cookies are baked in batches which breaks up the chores and gives a sort of rhythm to things. Plus everything is nice when the house smells like cookies.  I was going to make chocolate chocolate chocolate cookies, but realized that I didn't have cocoa powder, so I went with fresh cranberries (I just scored a pound of organic cranberries for 89 cents!) coconut flakes and chocolate chips. Plus I wanted to make them oatmeal because the mister likes oatmeal and oatmeal makes the cookies a little more hardy. (We need hardy when the temperature dips below zero)The verdict….. chewy, soft, slightly sweet oatmeal, bittersweet chocolate, nutty floral coconut, and the zing and pop of the fresh cranberries. He told me to hide them… hide so he will stop eating them….. because they be amazing!

IMG_8524
IMG_8552
IMG_8559
IMG_8566
IMG_8579
IMG_8613
IMG_8644
IMG_8670

The base of this cookie….We are using regular old fashion oats and flour.  Salt, baking soda and baking powder.  Vanilla, chia seeds in hot water, coconut oil  white and brown sugar…. You know, all the cookie stuff.  Then all the goodness.. Chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and fresh cranberries. Goodness.Oh yeah, and they are vegan…if that matters to you.Warm the coconut oil and mix with the white and brown sugars. Then add the chia seeds soaked in hot water.  Stir until nice and silky smooth.In goes some more stuff.  I just dumped all the dry right on in that bowl and mixed it up nice and nice.Chopped the fresh cranberries into chunks… One at a time……Just kidding, I actually laid a cutting board on top of the cranberries, applied a little pressure and sliced through the cranberries.. Does that make sense? I hope so, because its is much easier and faster and the cranberries don't all roll away.The chopped cranberries, coconut flakes and the chocolate chips go in to be mix all up. I used my hands to form the balls and gave each mound a little smoosh, but not completely flat.  Then into a preheated 375 degree oven for about 13-15 minutes or until a nice golden brown.A cup of hot coffee and a plate of warm cookies… I am the nicest, right! (After his nice cookie rest I proceeded  to do a little nagging, so the day evened out)So today is probably a great day for everyone to make cookies. It's freezing out,  its saturday and well, just cause. You might even be looking for a great recipe to make for that big party your going to.You should make these cookies. Have a Fantastic Weekend!!!-C

Oatmeal Fresh Cranberry Coconut Chocolate Chip Coookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup old fashion oats
  • 1 1/4cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon chia
  •  4-6 tablespoons hot water
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup fresh chopped cranberries
  • 1/2 cup coconut flakes

Preheat oven to 375To start, take the chia seed and soak them in the 4 tablespoon hot water for a few minutes. Then in a large bowl, mix together the white and brown sugar with warmed coconut oil. Add in the gelled chia seeds and vanilla and stir until silky and combined. (the warm chia seeds will help everything mix together nicely) Now mix in all the dry. I start with the oats, dump on flour, toss in the baking powder and soda and salt. Mix until fully combines. If the dough seems to dry, add in another tablespoon or two of hot water. Chop the fresh cranberries into halves or smaller and dump them, the coconut and chocolate chips into the bowl of dough and mix.Using a scoop, spoons, or your hands, make little balls and place on a cookie sheet, giving each ball a little smoosh. Into the oven for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown.Remove and cool on rack.Eat a few and hide the rest for later.

Black Bean Carob Brownies WHAT!

IMG_7880

Don't let the fact that these rich, fudgy, soft, oh so yummy brownies that  have beans in them scare you away, it just means that you can eat more, you know, like half a pan, and not think twice about it. (I think that is perfectly acceptable) And the carob. Well one of the things I always do for my birthday is to buy a new ingredient of some sort that I wouldn't normally buy because it's either too expensive or is hard to find. Carob is neither too expensive or hard to find, but I couldn't find the really expensive stuff that I was looking for so I grabbed a bag of carob powder.  If you have never tried carob, it's a must. It's kind of like chocolate, but more fruity, sweet, not bitter, and caffeine free, while still  containing  all the good health benefits as chocolate.  It's really good…..you will like it. (You can use cocoa instead, but then you are going to miss out on the awesomeness of carob and be left with a plain old normal black bean brownie)

I was also thinking that these would make for a fantastic Super Bowl party snack, you know, brownies and protein.. Sounds like a football type of food right. ( I know nothing of football, but I do know about food parties….brownies are good for food parties) 

Anyways, super fast, super simple, super easy. Make these and feel awesome.  And maybe don't tell people that you made them with beans, they don't need to know, all they will think is that they are eating something good.  

IMG_7811

One bowl. Beans, oil, oats, baking powder carob and vanilla. I used an emulsion blender but a blender or a food processor does the same…..blend together until fully incorporated, smooth and creamy with little speckles of oats. It's so simple and barely a mess to be made.

Into a greases pan and  into the oven for 25- 30 minutes…. Out of the oven when a toothpick comes out clean

IMG_7851

Let cool for at least 10 minutes (ok, maybe 5) and cut into squares of  any size you like.

IMG_7376-1

Stacked on parchment….oh so pretty

IMG_7879

Ready to go….. To share or to hoard. 

Excellent for so many reasons. They are tasty, gluten-free, vegan, full of proteins and when consumed, make people happy. My little nephew who is so so picky and doesn't like anything even really liked these so right there I knew this recipes was a winner.  

Enjoy your brownies! 

-C


Black Bean Carob Brownies

  • 2 cups cooked black beans (1 can)
  • 3/4 carob powder
  • 1/2 cup sugar 
  • 3/4 cup gluten-free quick oats or rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking power

Preheat oven to 375

Place all ingredients in either a food processor, blender, or a large bowl for a hand blender and blend together until  stuff is fully incorporated and smooth. Transfer into a well greases 9x9 baking pan and stick in over for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick  stuck in the middle comes out clean. 

Let cool for some  minutes, cut into squares and serve!