Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Almond Cranberry Quinoa Oatmeal Cookies (with dark chocolate)

Almond Cranberry Quinoa Oatmeal Cookies

Welcome to 2012 at Baking and Boys!  I’ll be on a little bit of a healthier kick, but don’t worry, that doesn’t mean there won’t be treats and goodies and even some more indulgent ones now and then.  While working away on the treadmill early one morning recently, I came across this recipe for these Almond Cranberry Quinoa Cookies in the latest (January 2012) issue of Bon Appetit magazine (Yes, I read foodie magazines while I’m on the treadmill.)

I was intrigued by these cookies having cooked quinoa in them and I just happened to have some leftover plain cooked quinoa in my fridge.  That sold me, but so did everything else in the cookies—almonds, cranberries, oats, whole wheat flour, a lower amount of sugar, it all sounded good to me as I start the new year (pretty much always do after the holidays) eating a little better than I had been.

I made the cookies today and think they’re great!  I did make one change to the recipe, but I don’t think it really changed them much.  I used Bestlife buttery baking sticks (a 50/50 non-hydrogenated butter substitute that I really like).  Just decided if I was going to make a healthier cookie, that I’d go with that butter substitute instead of the butter called for in the recipe.

Almond Cranberry Quinoa Oatmeal Cookies 1-4-12

Besides that change, after I baked half the dough as written, I added some dark chocolate to the rest.  So some of the cookies don’t have chocolate and some do!  Can you guess which I like better?  Here’s the recipe with my changes. 

Almond Cranberry Quinoa Oatmeal Cookies with Dark Chocolate, by Katrina, Baking and Boys!

1  1/2 cups (180 grams) white whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt (I used a coarse grain)

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup Bestlife buttery baking sticks (could use butter or another butter substitute like I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter)

1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar

1/4 cup (55 grams) packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup cooked quinoa, cooled

1 cup (80 grams) old-fashioned oats

1 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup slivered unsalted almonds (I used sliced almonds)

2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (or chips)---optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  (I used my convection oven, so I heated the oven to 350 degrees).  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Beat together the butter, sugars and honey in an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Add the eggs and vanilla and almond extracts and beat another two minutes.  Add flour mixture and mix just until combined.  Stir in quinoa, oats, cranberries and almonds.  Add the chocolate, if using.  Scoop (about 2-tablespoonsful) dough out onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 1/2 inches apart.

Bake the cookies until golden, 12-15 minutes (I did 11 minutes with two sheets in my convection oven at a time).  Remove from oven and let sit on the baking sheets for a couple minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack and let cool completely.  Makes 24-28 cookies.

Serving—1 Cookie,  Calories 148, Carbs 21 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 2.9 grams, Sugars 10.7 grams Fat 6.3 grams (that is if you use real butter)

Quinoa Oatmeal Cookies 1-4-12

 I love the almond extract in these and would recommend it if you’re using almonds.  They are a soft, chewy cookie and have many great flavors.   You could use walnuts or pecans if you don’t like almonds, or raisins or tart dried cherries instead of cranberries.  I think these could easily be a great pre-workout food or even a breakfast cookie (or two).  Thanks, Bon Appetit!

17 comments:

Leslie said...

Well I watch the FOod Network when I am on the treadmill(not that that happens often)!!
They look yummy.

I'm At Home Baking said...

These look moist and delicious! One way I avoid extra pounds is, I rarely eat what I bake. Hubby usually takes everything into work to share with buddies. I've always been that way though.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I've never baked with quinoa, but these delectable looking cookies have inspired me!

Curt said...

So many delicious flavors in one cookie!

Lisa Ernst said...

I've used quinoa in cookies before and thought it was good. I'm glad you liked these and I'm sure the chocolate helped too. If you're going on a healthier kick, dark chocolate is essential. :-)

Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more said...

Well they have a lot of healthy stuff in them, so we are going to consider them a health food:)

Vivian Thiele said...

Wow! These look very yummy! I make cookies for an adult "Ronald McDonald" type house. I know these would be loved!

Cindy said...

I have no problem reading food mags while on the treadmill also watching Food Network helps pass the time!
These cookies look great. I have yet to use quinoa, I need to get out more! I'm headed to the store, I'll pick some up because these look yummy. They have all my favorite flavors, and dark chocolate is a must I think.

Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! said...

Cindy, you can get a big bag of quinoa for cheap at Costco. It's so easy to make and you can use it like rice.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea to use quinoa - healthy and delicious - lovely
mary x

Katrina said...

Cindy, I was going to tell you the same thing as Anne-Marie--Costco has a big bag much cheaper than the small amounts sold at grocery stores. The Costco one is the one I have.

marla said...

I just love adding quinoa to my baked goods too. These cookies look great!

Natalie said...

i could use a healthier cookie right now! can't wait to try it!

Jeanette said...

I saw this recipe and was curious how it would come out with cooked quinoa in the ingredient list. I've used quinoa flakes, but not cooked quinoa in cookies. So nice to know they came out so good - will give these a try. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing these - I need some healthier cookies in my life! Actually, I can see myself turning one into breakfast...

Stephanie - The Travel Chica said...

I discovered quinoa my first trip to South America. Perfect for cookies!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this recipe. I just made these and the dried fruit/quinoa skeptical children are gobbling them up (dark choco chips probably helped!)