The First Reader's favorite cookies are, surprisingly, almost healthy. Almost. But not all the way there. Oh, and the other thing about these? They must never, ever have raisins in them. Raisins are evil deceptions for people expecting chocolate chips.
A while back I ran out of butter, but wanted to make cookies, so I went looking for a recipe that didn't use butter. I'd had an oatmeal cookie recipe years ago that used applesauce, and one that used tahini... I didn't have tahini, either. I came up with one which called for applesauce and oil, but it still wasn't quite right. This recipe, however, uses both butter and applesauce, for all the numminess.
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1/2 lb butter (1 cup)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup applesauce
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cardamom
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt (if butter is unsalted)
12 oz choc chips
1 c whole wheat flour
3 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup white flour
Preheat your oven to 375 deg F.
Cream together butter and sugar until well blended and fluffy (I love my stand mixer for this). Add in eggs, and vanilla, while beating. Slowly add in spices, baking soda, and baking powder. Pour in the chocolate chips, slow the mixer, and add the whole wheat flour. Add the oats, and finally the white flour.
Scoop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto a baking sheet - you will want to use parchment paper or a silicone sheet for these. Bake for 13-15 minutes.
These are chewy, almost cake-like because of the applesauce. They make great, filling snacks you won't feel too guilty about.
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