Monday, February 27, 2012

Crackling Oatmeal Cookies



You're My Best Friend by Queen
It's a post about being where you love to be, with the ones you love, seeking out new and old things to love.  It's not about home, though.  It's about shopping.  No - that's not a typo or a link.  I just didn't want to say it too loud because some people might judge.  A trip to our favorite shopping destination has become part of our "adventure" category.  I, personally, try to situate this destination on the end of my errand list or maybe even the only thing on my errand list so that I can relax and enjoy it, take my time.  You only do this with the things in your life that you love - or at least deeply appreciate.  I have about three stores total to which I give this sort of preferential treatment.  The others will be revealed in time.  For the present, though, I'm choosing this song for it's upbeat tempo and for the feelings of happiness it conveys.  For this is how I, er, we feel about . . . 

My grandson, W, loves to go to Costco.  I suppose, to be accurate, I should say that he LOVES to go to Costco.  It has become a situation where said store must be spelled around him when planning a visit to their premises.  Otherwise, any knowledge of an impending trip causes constant haranguing about how much longer until the departure will take place, where the card is (so he can hold it and show it), what he wants to get when he gets there, and, woe be unto any attempt to make any other errands before the stop at the great bulk capital of the world!!!  He actually somehow finagled his way into obtaining his very own Costco card, complete with picture I.D.  What can I say?  I have cute grandkids!

Now, some might find this an annoying trait, but it's one of my favorite things about him!  Why? Because I LOVE Costco, too!!  I guess to be fair I'd have to say that his aunt, my daughter, D, LOVES Costco as well.  So much so that she, being age 21, will sometimes argue with her nephew, age 2, over who gets to hold the card.  Luckily, she got her own card so now they can each hold a card when visiting together.  And visiting Costco en masse is always on the list of things to do when we are all together because, well, why not just come out with it - we are a family of Costco LOVERS!  Or, more appropriately, lovers of Costco.  Or . . . anyway, I think you get my drift!?  We enjoy shopping there!

Costco is a veritable walk-in treasure chest of goods to be explored and discovered.  One of my favorite discoveries has been these:

I can't even begin to tell you the creative paths my mind took to make this delicious snack justifiable via the "good for you" lane.  This is the conclusion to which the fast-track of justification led me.  Dark chocolate has flavonoids which act as antioxidants and help lower blood pressure.  Pomegranates are packed with antioxidants and help relieve the symptoms of arthritis.  Boom!  There you go - it's healthy!

And what do I do with such a healthy snack?  I pair it with another healthy snack!  An oatmeal cookie!  So what we have going on here are antioxidants galore, an arthritis reliever, a blood pressure friend, and a fiber booster!  And because you're my best friends, I want you to enjoy these deliciously soft cookies as well!

Crackling Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate
Printable Recipe Card
1 1/4 c. sugar, divided
1 t. cinnamon
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 t. almond extract
2 1/4 c. AP flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 t. kosher salt
2 1/2 c. rolled oats
1 1/2 c. chocolate-covered pomegranates

In a small bowl, combine 1/4 c. of the sugar and the teaspoon of cinnamon.  Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the rest of the sugar, brown sugar, and butter until light and fluffy - about 3 - 4 minutes.  Add the eggs, one at a time, incorporating after each.  Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in mixing bowl and mix until just starting to come together.  Add the oats and the pomegranates and mix until just blended.

Line sheet trays with parchment paper.  Scoop out cookies and roll in the cinnamon and sugar mixture.  (I freeze mine at this point.)  I used a #16 scoop for these.  Since the chocolate-covered pomegranates are on the larger side I opted for a larger-sized cookie.  A #16 scoop is approximately 1/4 c. of dough.  If you don't want to freeze yours, at least chill the dough for about half an hour before baking.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Space the cookies about 3 inches apart on the sheet tray.  Bake for 18 minutes, turning pan halfway through.





2 comments:

  1. Oh My Gosh! Those sound AMAZING! SIMPLY AMAZING! I may just have to forgo something on my March Costco shopping list in order to fit these babies on. SO TEMPTING!

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    1. Or I can share mine with you! I'd be happy to! But then you'll be hooked and will want to buy your own as well! I can bring some over tomorrow!

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