Chunky Cherry, Chocolate & Granola Bites
A sweetheart of a cookie
Posted February 6th, 2012 by noelle | No Comments
My husband is leaving on a long business trip this week, so I thought I would tuck a few cookies into his bag for Valentine’s Day. It took me a little bit of time to find a good recipe that tasted great but wasn’t loaded with white sugar and processed flour crud. I settled on a version of this chunky chocolate and granola cookie adapted from Christabel Martin. The whole-grain oats, nuts and cherries in these cookies add heartiness, while the melted dark chocolate chunks deliver bursts of richness. The chia seeds pack a nutty punch and they are rich in fiber and Omega-3s too – perfect for supporting vibrant hair and skin during these cold weeks of February. Tied with a festive pink ribbon and a little love, I’m hoping they will be perfect.
Chunky Cherry, Chocolate & Granola Bites
Serving Size: 32 (~120 calories)
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter*
2/3 cup natural cane sugar
1 organic egg
1 teaspoon good vanilla extract (I like this Madagascar Pure Vanilla Extract )
1 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup dried coconut
1/2 cup spelt flakes or rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened chocolate, roughly chopped into chunks
1/2 cup dried cherries, roughly chopped
1/2 cup good dark chocolate chips (>60% cocoa)
1/2 cup peanuts* or walnuts, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons raw chia seeds
6 tablespoons almond milk (I like Blue Diamond , Original), + extra
3 tablespoons good extra-virgin olive oil
(* Buy organic, if possible. Learn more here.)
Better-for-you ingredients
Learn more about the better-for-you ingredients in this recipe:
- Chia seeds – Cleansing divas love the versatility of chia seeds. Chia seeds are rich in fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are believed to support healthy skin, hair and joints. In addition, Omega-3s are valued for their ability to fight heart disease, support a healthy immune system and help protect against abnormal blood clotting. Chia seeds are also believed to be useful in the fight against depression. Learn more here.
- Whole wheat pastry flour – A healthier alternative to white all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour has a lighter and more enjoyable texture in baked goods than regular whole wheat flour.
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla in a medium-sized bowl using electric beaters until pale and fluffy, then add the egg and beat until just combined. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and the baking soda. Add to the butter mixture with the coconut, spelt (or rolled oat) flakes, chocolate (both the chunks and the chips), cherries, nuts and chia seeds. Slowly incorporate almond milk and olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms, add an additional tablespoon or two of almond milk if necessary until dough is just soft enough.
Shape tablespoons of dough into balls, place on the sheets 2 inches apart and flatten slightly. Bake for 12 minutes, or until crips on top and lightly golden. Allow to cool on the sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Enjoy!
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