Cookies & Bars

(Easy Gluten-Free) Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Raisin Cookies

By in Cookies & Bars, GF Sweets, Gluten Free 6 Comments Tags: , , , ,

gf oatmeal cookies

Oh man, am I yearning for spring. I mean, technically it is spring, but apparently Alberta hasn’t gotten the memo. Last weekend we woke up to snow, I made myself a mug of tea, grabbed some of these cookies out of the freezer, planted myself in the corner of the couch with a soft blanket, and watched the snow fall. It all sounds so cozy, if we hadn’t had six months of this already. I am supremely jealous of all the spring photos I’m seeing everywhere. I’m happy for you, I really am. But I am so sad for me. Poor, poor me. ;) At least I have these cookies to comfort me. With the prediction of snow again this weekend I have a feeling I’m going to need them!

I’m always on the lookout for good gluten-free recipes that satisfy even the pickiest wheat-eaters palate. I think it’s important to make everyone feel included at social gatherings, but making separate food for everyone isn’t really the optimal thing to do. So why not just make delicious gluten-free recipes that everyone can enjoy together? That is what my Easy Gluten-Free series is all about.

These cookies are just what an oatmeal cookie hopes to be – nice and chewy with hint of spice. One bite tastes like a chocolate chip cookie, the next like cinnamon and raisins. It’s a happy surprise with every bite. They’re a tad bit crumbly compared to a traditional flour-based chocolate chip cookie, especially after you freeze them, but I think they fall nicely into the oatmeal cookie category. Just don’t go smashing them around, ok?  ;)

gf oatmeal cookies

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Raisin Cookies

  • 4 1/2 cups rolled oats*, divided
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder*
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup raisins

*check the labels to ensure they’re gluten free.

In a blender or food processor, process 1.5 cups rolled oats until finely ground. Pour into a medium-sized bowl along with cornstarch, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl beat together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Gradually beat in oat mixture until evenly mixed. Stir in chocolate chips and raisins, along with remaining 3 cups rolled oats.

Drop cookies 2 inches apart onto parchment lined baking sheets (about 2 tablespoons each), forming into a rough ball shape. Bake at 350ºF for 15-18 minutes, or until they begin to turn golden brown on the edges. Let cool 2 minutes before removing to wire racks or paper towel to cool completely.

Makes approximately: 3 dozen

Adapted from Everyday Food.

Layered Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies

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chocolate chip cookie brownies

It’s Monday. And, you’re either going to love me or hate me for this, but I really thought that Monday could use a little pick me up. I’m sorry to do this to you. And yet, not really. There is simply too much deliciousness going on in these brownies to not share them with you. Especially on a Monday.

Last weekend my hubby requested cookies, but before I could make some I saw these brownies on Rachel’s blog. I decided to make them instead, knowing that they would be better then any cookie he had been hoping for. I was so right.

Fudgy brownies topped with crisp and chewy chunks of cookie dough with melty chocolate chips throughout – Rachel you are brilliant! These are definitely our new favourite brownie.

We froze them pretty much right away just so they wouldn’t be so easily accessible. The only problem is, now they’re sitting in our freezer just waiting to be nabbed anytime a craving hits. Which happens often. It’s a good exercise for my willpower. That’s the power of a good brownie for you – it builds strength of mind.

Make them tonight. Perk up your Monday. I can guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Layered Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies

Cookie Dough
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Brownie
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 3 oz bittersweet chocolate
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For the cookie dough: Cream together butter and sugars, in a large bowl. Mix in egg and vanilla. Add baking soda, baking powder, salt and flour; mix well. Stir in chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Set aside.

For the brownie: Place butter and chocolate in small saucepan set over medium-low heat, stir constantly until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth; remove from heat. Whisk in sugar, egg and vanilla. Whisk in cocoa and salt. Stir in flour until evenly combined.

To assemble: Scrape brownie batter into an 8×8 inch baking pan that has been lightly greased and lined with parchment paper; smooth top. Top with chunks of cookie dough, as evenly as possible. Bake at 350ºF for 25 minutes, or until cookie layer is set and lightly browned.

Let cool completely before removing from pan to slice.

Makes: 9-12 servings

Adapted from Baked by Rachel.

Spicy Oatmeal Snaps

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spicy oatmeal snaps

Cookies are my friend. If I had to choose one dessert to eat for the rest of my life it would be cookies. I love their endless adaptability in shape, size and flavour, their perfectly proportioned serving size, and the fact that they freeze so well, meaning you can have them on hand at all times. They are the perfect individual dessert, in my mind – move over cupcakes! Give me a cup of chai tea and a cookie and I’m a happy camper.

These particular cookies have one of my favourite textures. Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. They’re basically a chewy oatmeal cookie and a peppery gingersnap all in one. What’s not to love?

On a cold winter night with a cup of hot tea in hand, I can’t imagine a better accompaniment.

Spicy Oatmeal Snaps

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 5 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats

Combine flour, spices and baking soda in a small bowl. Set aside

Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in vanilla and egg. Stir in flour and oats; mix until everything is evenly distributed.

Roll, or scoop out 1 tablespoon balls of dough and place 2-3 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350ºF for 12 minutes or until crisp on the edges. Cool 2-3 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes approximately: 2 dozen

Adapted from My Recipes.

(Healthier) No-Bake Granola Bars

By in Cookies & Bars, GF Sweets, Gluten Free, Kids, Snacks 6 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , ,

healthier no bake granola bars

It has been HOT here this week. We all tend to lose our appetites when it’s so hot out so we’ve been keeping mealtimes really simple by having lot’s of salads, fruits and veggies with a little side of grilled meat. I didn’t turn on my oven once this week, but in preparation for our camping trip coming up, I wanted to prepare some “baked goods”. Enter the delight of the “no-bake goods”.

I really like my original no-bake granola bars, but I didn’t make them too often because I started feeling guilty about the amount of sugar in them. Fine for dessert, but for a mid-day snack that I’m going to be feeding my children? Not so much. So, I tried out a new version, a healthier version, added a few more things to make it more nutritious and now I’ve got a no-bake granola bar without the guilt.

These granola bars are chewy and sweet, with the taste of honey, toasted oats and nuts and little bites of sweet, plump raisins. Package them up and bring them along on your picnics or trips to the beach. Who needs those wimpy store-bought granola bars when you can have such delicious ones, so simply, at home?

No-Bake Granola Bars

To make these gluten-free use gluten-free certified oats.

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts)
  • 1/2 cup dried fruit (I used raisins)
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • pinch salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

In a medium-sized skillet, toast oats and nuts over medium heat until fragrant. Remove to a bowl, along with dried fruit and set aside.

In the same skillet add butter, honey, brown sugar and salt. Cook until bubbling and then continue to cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over oat mixture; stir well until evenly coated.

Press into a 8×8 inch baking pan, lined with parchment paper. Wet fingers to keep from sticking. You want the pack to be quite firm.

Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Using the edges of the parchment paper, remove from pan. Using a serrated knife cut the bars in half and then into 6, creating 12 granola bars. Store, covered, at room temperature. Separate with pieces of parchment or wax paper, if stacking on top of each other.

Makes: 12

Adapted from Lauren’s Latest. Originally from Rachael Ray.

Maple-Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

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maple walnut cookies

Happy Canada Day weekend! I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful day off, and hopefully some fabulous weather to go with it! Every time Canada Day comes around I can’t help but make something with maple. Give me any excuse to cook or bake with maple and I’ll jump at the chance.

These cookies are put together a bit differently than your average cookie. They don’t have any eggs, for one, and the dough starts out with melted butter and boiling water. It may sound strange, but the results are a thick, chewy cookie with a lightly crisp outer crust. They’re not overly sweet, with some crunch from the walnuts and a light maple flavour. I found them quite addicting. I usually don’t care for jumbo cookies, but in this case I was very happy to have a giant cookie all to myself.

These would be so delicious warm from the oven with a scoop of Maple Brown Butter Semifreddo. Next time I might make them half the size just so I can sandwich some semifreddo in between.

P.S. Please make these for your next camping trip. They’re the perfect cookie for the job.

Maple-Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

  • 1.5 cups rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut
  • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 5 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons boiling water
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple extract
  • 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Mix together oats, coconut, flour, salt, and sugar. Set aside.

Place butter and maple syrup in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Cook and stir until melted. Remove from heat. Stir together baking soda and boiling water and add it to the melted butter along with the maple extract. Stir the butter mixture into the oats. Fold in walnuts.

Divide dough into 12 equal pieces (about 3 tablespoons each), place them about 3 inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheets, 6 to a sheet. Flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand.

Bake at 300ºF for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and set. Transfer to wire racks or paper towel, to cool. Store in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to 1 week.

Makes: 12 jumbo cookies

Adapted from Martha Stewart.

Dino Party: Fossil Cookies

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Dino Party: Fossil Cookies

This post is part of a series for a Dino themed birthday party.  To view the rest of the series head on over to the Dino Birthday Party post.

To kick-start the party once all the kids had arrived we gave them each a kite to play with and let them loose on the yard. This was one of the best ideas ever (thanks to my mom, for her brilliance), it kept the kids busy for a very long time and it doubled as a fun favour for them to bring home with them.

I still wanted to make something dinosaur-themed, for them to take home, so on their way out the door they each got a small stretchy dinosaur and a little parcel containing these fossil cookies (a.k.a. whipped shortbread with dinosaur footprints).

They were so easy to make and since I already had a dinosaur, that just happened to be laying around waiting to be gifted to the birthday boy, I had everything on hand to whip them up. And, I loved the way they turned out.

I think cookies are always a hit when given as favours and when they”re this easy (and cute to boot) it makes for a delicious, fun and stress-free way to work the theme into the favours. Plus for any savings savvy mom”s, it is definitely one of the cheaper options! ;)

Fossil Cookies

The dinosaur foot I used to make the impressions was approximately one inch across.

  • 1 cup butter, room temperature (no substitutes)

  • 1/2 cup icing (confectioners) sugar

  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour

Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add flour and beat on medium speed for 10 minutes. Using a tablespoon, scoop out dough and drop onto parchment paper line baking sheets. Chill in the fridge until firm (about 30 minutes).

Roll each scoop into a ball, flatten into a disk with the palm of your hand. Dip the foot of a clean dinosaur toy into some flour before pressing it into the flattened dough. We”re not going for perfection here, these are fossils after all, so embrace any cracks and imperfections that form. Make sure you make a good impression because the cookies will puff up a bit as they bake.

Bake at 350 for approximately 10 minutes, or until the bottoms are a light golden brown. Let cool for a couple minutes on the baking sheet before moving to wire wracks to cool completely.

Makes approximately: 28 cookies

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