Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Crisps

I’m usually a chewy, doughy kind of cookie eater, but lately I am loving crispy, light cookies. These are perfect for curbing my craving. Now I know this is a health and nutrition blog so here’s my rationale: If you are going to indulge in a sweet craving, it is so much better to make your own home-made treats using whole, organic foods than to buy something highly processed and full of artificial stuff. And I know I don’t have time to be baking treats all the time, so we’re not eating them constantly. And sometimes it’s better for your overall health (maybe the mental part more than the physical) to give in to those cravings. And I don’t feel guilty because I went to the gym today and plan to tomorrow too! I’m sure you can all come up with your own excuses to make these cookies once in a while! If not, borrow some of mine. So now I’m going to sit down with my tea and cookie and watch an episode or two of The Office.

Besides being delicious, I do like that these cookies don’t call for flour-you put part of the oatmeal called for into a food processor until it’s about the consistency of whole wheat flour. But, if you are on a strict gluten free diet, be careful because even though oats that are grown completely isolated from wheat should be free of gluten, most oats are grown in close proximity to and processed on shared equipment with wheat. I think that Bob’s Red Mill produces a gluten free oatmeal if that is something you’re looking for.

Ingredients:
3 cups rolled oats (not quick cooking)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter – I use Smart Balance sticks – slightly softened
1 ½ cups organic light brown sugar
2 large organic eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
10 oz. chocolate chips

Directions:
Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Put 2 cups of the oatmeal in a food processor and process it until finely ground and floury.

Cream the butter until soft and smooth. Mix in the brown sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until well blended. In another bowl, stir together the ground and whole oatmeal, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until blended. Add the chocolate chips and mix just until blended.

Drop teaspoonfuls of the dough onto the pan. I made smaller cookies, so I don’t over-indulge; I know I can’t eat just one! Leave 2-3 inches between them, as they will spread. Bake for 13-15 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool on the pan, then store in an airtight container. Makes 4-5 dozen.

Source: I got this recipe off the back of my Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Light Brown Sugar package. It is from Executive Pastry Chef Gale Gand, author, host of Food Network’s Sweet Dreams and co-owner of Tru in Chicago.