Chocolate Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

Photo: Debra Turner via iphone

Don't start your diet yet because the next two blog posts will feature food. Christmas may have passed, but some of us are still celebrating, right up until New Year's Day. Par for the holiday course. Accept it.

This year I was a slacker when it came to baking cookies. I reasoned ... with the eggnog, chocolate candy and mulled apple cider (not to mention nuts and a few bakery cookies), did I really need to bake cookies too? Well, apparently, the answer is ''yes'' because I baked a butch.

Friends who live in the neighborhood went out of town for the holidays, leaving me the keys to their apartment. When I went over to check on things the first day, on their counter they left me a festive basket of fresh fruit and dark chocolate. Very thoughtful (and delectable) right?

So when they return tomorrow, they will find a batch of these cookies sitting in their kitchen (along with white and chai teas, a surprise!). So you see, it is really their fault that I baked them. The oatmeal gives the cookies a nice texture, and there are chocolate chips in every bite. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup peanut butter (if you leave pb out sometimes, add a tablespoon of liquid)

Photo: Dr. Oz Show

1/2 cup graduated sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
1 large egg                                       
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup oatmeal
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
a pinch of salt
a pinch of cinnamon
1/4 cup coconut (optional: I threw it in)
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Start by throwing the butter and peanut butter into a mixing bowl and microwave them for 20 seconds to soften. Mixing will be a little easier.
2. Add the remaining ingredients, one at a time, using an electric mixer to combine.
3. A full cup of oatmeal produces a drier (but still moist dough). Form into 1 inch balls and place on an oiled cookie sheet. I flatten them slightly.
4. Bake for about 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degree F oven. When done, cool for 5 minutes before removing the cookies from the pans. Eat warm and/or allow to cool.

I have a feeling my friends will enjoy these cookies as much as I do. Naturally, I had to check their deliciousness with a taste before offering them as a gift.

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