Oatmeal Cookies Make Everything Better

I always find the best way to release stress is to bake! There is just so much working out and therapy shopping I can do, that sometimes just getting into the kitchen makes me think more of what I’m making then what is going on in my life! I’m trying to clean out my Augusta kitchen before I move. Getting rid of all the sugar, flour and baking chocolate products I purchased. I take all the baked goods to my crew at work and they love it! People in the south appreciate delicious, home baked goods.

As I’m cleaning out my Augusta kitchen I’m thinking of all the changes I’m going to initiate once I’m back in Las Vegas. Sticking to a HEALTHY eating plan. Which my diet is very good and I believe in moderation. It’s just the added sugars that are killing my healthy eating habits. I’m going to stick to healthier alternatives to baking if I do want to make something. I’m going to make substitutions to recipes if needed as well. I think this will help me expand more on my healthy eating and finding healthier and delicious ways of making a baked good a little bit better for you. Ashley at The Edible Perspective does an awesome job of incorporating healthier, less processed, organic ingredients into her baked goods.

These cookies aren’t healthy but they aren’t going to kill your calories or sweet tooth. I made them smaller, so you could have 2 cookies and not feel guilty. I used spelt flour and whole grain rolled oats in placed of the traditional white flour and slightly processed oatmeal. I added in a mixture of dark chocolate and peanut butter chips. They were delicious and the several dozens I baked were gone within 2 days. I think they liked them? I know I liked them! You can find the original Oatmeal Chip Cookie recipe from Better Home & Gardens, while below I made some changes like using more cinnamon and no clove and unsalted butter with an addition of sea salt.

Oatmeal Chip Cookies
Adapted from Better Home & Gardens

Ingredients
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 heaping teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 3/4 cups spelt flour
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips

Directions
In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs, vanilla and salt until combined. Next beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer and stir in any remaining flour. Stir in rolled oats and the dark chocolate and peanut butter chips.

Drop dough using a small cookie scoop 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

My cookies baked for 9 minutes each round and were perfectly golden brown on the edges. The oven in this kitchen gets really hot and tends to cook/bake everything quicker. I’m not use to using an electric stove, so I always have to time everything!

Enjoy,
Fallon