Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are a classic cookie. Oatmeal cookies are also very popular. Put them together and you get delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Traditionally, oatmeal cookies are made with raisins. These are made with chocolate chips which makes them richer and sweeter. You could mix half raisins and half chocolate chips if you love both. Nuts can also be added. Just add 1/2 cup chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans.


When following this oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe, follow the directions carefully. Do not make any substitutes such as all butter. This will cause the cookies to flatten out too much. You can use semiweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or chocolate chunks. Mini M&Ms are another great option.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups chocolate chips

1. Using a wooden spoon or mixer, mix together the shortening and butter until it is creamy and smooth. Be sure to let the butter soften completely to room temperature so that you don't end up with clumps of butter. A stand mixer is the easiest way to do this, but you can use a hand mixer or just mix it with a wooden spoon yourself.
2. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix it all together until it becomes a light and fluffy consistency. There should be no clumps of sugar. Break up the brown sugar as you add it to the bowl to ensure there are no clumps.
3. Stir in the eggs and vanilla stirring just until combined. Beating the mixture too much as this stage will add too much air and make them fluffy and crumbly.
4. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Use a whisk to mix it together. This will make it easier to get out all lumps and make everything mix evenly.
5. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, stirring or using a mixer on the lowest setting. Add about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring completely in between.
6. When the dough is complete, add in the oats and stir in completely. Stir in the chocolate chips and any other ingredients you want to add such as nuts.
7. Refrigerate the dough for 1 to 2 hours or overnight. The dough can be frozen if you are saving it for later.
8. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
9. Form the dough in to 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls with a scooper or your hands. Place them 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
   
10. Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown. Remove them from the oven and let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

These oatmeal chocolate chip cookies taste great warm with a tall, cold glass of milk. They can also be put in your lunch for a snack. However you choose to enjoy them, there is no doubt you will want to make them again soon.

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

What's the worst part about trying to eat healthy? The worst part is that you end up missing out on a lot of delicious food because it isn't healthy. You end up forgoing those recipes that are full of sugar, oil, starches, and preservatives because they aren't good for you.

If you are trying to eat healthier, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn how to cook. If you know how to cook, you can take your favorite recipes and turn them into healthier alternatives. Change this ingredient, cut back on that, and so on. Doing this can allow you to eat the things you love without feeling as guilty. Of course, you still shouldn't over-indulge, but getting to try some classic treats is a big help to keep you on course.

Healthy chocolate chip cookies sounds kind of like an oxymoron. How can chocolate chip cookies be healthy? They may never be as healthy as an apple or a carrot, but you can make healthier chocolate chip cookies by changing up the list of ingredients just a bit.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup applesauce
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips

1. Grind the oats in a blender or a food processor. A coffee grinder works very well for this step. Put into a bowl and mix with the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix it thoroughly to remove lumps and combine it well.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the butter. Use an electric mixer to make it easier. Beat for 1 to 2 minutes until it is fluffy and creamy. Mix in the applesauce, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla. Beat just until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
   
3. Stir the dry ingredients in gently. If you are using a mixer, put it at the lowest setting. Stir until it is just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and refrigerate the dough for about an hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease two cookie sheets.
5. Form the dough into 1 inch balls and space them 1 to 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet. Bake them for about 15 minutes, baking one sheet at a time. The should be firm on the edges and golden brown on the top. Let the cool on the sheet for 2 minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

These healthy chocolate chip cookies are a great alternative to regular chocolate chip cookies. They aren't packed with sugar and they have healthier ingredients such as whole wheat flour, oatmeal, and applesauce. Plus, they are very delicious.