'Everything but the Kitchen Sink' Cookies

Blogging Marathon #42: Week 3/ Day 1

Theme: Healthy Snack box Recipes

Dish: 'Everything but the Kitchen Sink' Cookies

If you wonder what 'Kitchen Sink cookies' are...and have a disgusting look on your face like what my husband made when I told him about this - let me explain! There is no reason to be grossed out..This cookie has a little bit of everything that people may like in a cookie - and akin to the expression - "Everything but the Kitchen Sink" - you can throw in whatever you like and have at hand into the cookie. This usually ends up being a pretty loaded cookie with not very healthy ingredients. But I once saw Ellie Krieger make a healthy version of this cookie, and this recipe is adapted off of that one.

This recipe replaces half the butter with canola oil and applesauce, uses only egg whites, has whole wheat flour and whole oats for fibre, dried fruits and nuts for energy and chocolate - because everything is better with chocolate. I believe in offering something that is healthy , or at least healthier when I pack my kids snack box, and this cookie fits this bill perfectly. Not too sweet, but just enough to be kid friendly.

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#42Ingredients:

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

2 tbsp butter, softened

2 tbsp canola oil

1/4 cup applesauce

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 large egg white

2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour(I just used chapati flour)

1/2 cup old-fashioned oats

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup chopped dried apricots,

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup almonds, toasted and chopped

2 ounces dark chocolate, cut into chunks

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine the brown sugar, butter and oil in the bowl and mix on high speed, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the applesauce, vanilla and egg white and mix to combine. Add the flour, oatmeal, cinnamon and salt and mix just until just combined. Switch to a rubber spatula and add the apricots, dried cranberries, walnuts and chocolate and mix to combine.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using 1 tablespoon of cookie dough at a time, roll into balls and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Press the balls down with the palm of your hand to flatten slightly, as the cookies will not spread as much as cookies with more butter. Bake until lightly browned but still soft, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on racks.

Verdict: These cookies were chewy and filled with healthy goodness. I even had a couple of cookies for breakfast without feeling guilty. I wouldn't lie to say this is the best cookie ever - because if you expect a buttery sweet cookie - this is not it. But, if you want to have a cookie that is tasty yet healthy, you definitely came to the right place!