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Mary Anne here. This past Friday the hospital where I work “went red” for Women’s Health Day, a campaign initiated by the American Heart Association that’s designed to raise awareness for women’s cardiovascular wellness.
Our radiology department, led by an MD well-versed in heart disease, shared valuable info on new, non-invasive tests that assess the condition of coronary arteries, while the dietitians offered advice and how-to’s on improving heart health with simple dietary changes. Along with their recommended daily doses of omega-3s, vitamins, and minerals and assorted foods rich in antioxidants, they handed out prettily packaged cookies loaded with all of the above.
My boss went nuts for these nicely wrapped, albeit seemingly dried up lumps of goodness, and swore she was a health-food convert. I was more than skeptical – healthful cookies? Now there’s an oxymoron. But she was so smitten that she actually asked me to go back to the dietician and grab another handful. While there, I was given a recipe for these mounds of all-things-fiber, and then promptly lost it. Freudian? Most likely. But somehow, the idea of trying my hand at 5 grain goodies stuck with me and so of course I had to put my own spin on heart-healthy treats.
I never found the recipe, but I did find Bob’s Red Mill cereal in the grocery store. The bag boasts a bounty of rolled whole grains, flaxseeds, rye, and oats. The package has its own cookie recipe and I’m certain their addition of dried cranberries and raisins is a more healthful alternative to my coconut and chocolate chips – but let’s get serious folks – we’re talking cookies here! And my version is moist with a fantastic texture and just enough sweetness to feel like you’re being naughty when you’re actually being kind of nice to the old pumper. So take heart, you can definitely have your healthful cookie and love eating it too!
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5 Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes about 4 dozen
Adapted from Bob’s Red Mill 5 Grain Cookies
Ingredients:
3 cups Bob’s Red Mill 5 Grain Cereal – $3.29
1 cup whole wheat flour – $2.29
½ Teaspoon baking soda – stock
½ Teaspoon salt – stock
1Teaspoon cinnamon – stock
½ Teaspoon nutmeg – stock
1 stick sweet butter, softened – stock
1 cup dark brown sugar – stock
1 Teaspoon vanilla – stock
½ cup tap water
2 large eggs, lightly beaten – stock
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – $2.50
½ cup walnuts, chopped – optional
½ cup sweet shredded coconut – optional
Grand Total Assuming a Well-Stocked Pantry: $8.08
Total Per Cookie: $0.17
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Set aside.
3. Using a mixer, cream the butter with the brown sugar until smooth. Add the water and vanilla, blending well after each addition. Add the eggs, beating well to incorporate.
4. On the lowest setting of the mixer, add the flour mix to the butter mixture, until lightly combined.
5. Using a large wooden spoon, gradually add the cereal, chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts, combining thoroughly.
6. Using a regular kitchen teaspoon, drop the dough by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets. (I baked mine in 2 batches to prevent uneven baking.)
7. Bake each batch for 12 to 14 minutes until the edges are beginning to brown.
8. Transfer to wire racks and allow to cool. Store in a sealed container.
Yum! While I agree that healthy cookies is a bit of an oxymoron, I do love a cookie that boasts healthy ingredients and packs some kind of nutritional punch. Mostly because it allows me to justify eating half a dozen in one sitting. 😉
Precisely!! I downed 4 just transferring them from the cookie sheet to the cooling rack!
This looks great. Do you think any grain cereal will work? I have a seven grain cereal I’d love to try it with. Wondering though, where are you getting whole wheat flour that you are paying that much? We have a food co-op near by where we order it in bulk and get it for 76 cents a pound. Even assuming we bout per pound we could buy for between 89 and 1.19. From one frugal geek to another 🙂
Hi Nikki. The bag of whole wheat flour was 2 lbs., and of course I’m paying NY prices! We include the total price, as whole wheat flour isn’t included in our “well stocked pantry”, so even though the recipe is for only 1 cup, we know some readers will need to buy a full bag.
As for 7 grain – go for it! There shouldn’t be any difference, other than maybe a bit more texture, which is good! Let us know how they turn out. Cheers!
So I’m thinking that these would be great for breakfast on the run. Totally justifiable with all the whole grains 😉
Love the heart healthy grains and nuts in these hearty protein packed cookies. Pinning them to my Heart Health board on Pinterest!
I love these…. love lots of grains
Hi,
I didn’t see the nutritional info on these cookies. I’m doing weight watchers and would like to figure out the points plus? Would you have that info? Thanks, they look healthy and delicious!
Hi Martha, thanks for your comment. Unfortunately we don’t calculate nutritional info on this website, best of luck with Weight Watchers, we hear it’s a wonderful program!
I am wondering if the sodium content is high, normal, or low with 1 teaspoon of soda and salt combined?
I’m sorry, but I don’t know how to calculate calories or really any of the dietary content. Having said that, salt and soda are for leavening and at 1/2 teaspoon each for 48 cookies, I can’t imagine the sodium content in these cookies is high. Knowledge doesn’t dictate my statement – just seems to make sense to me. They certainly do not taste of sodium and are absolutely delicious! Thanks so much for writing. 🙂
Wow, thanks for sharing your recipe…although I had to make a few adjustments as I didn’t have all of the same ingredients and it is Friday night, and I live in a rural area. I had to have a cookie! So, I had to add some coconut oil (3 tbsp. approx) to make up the 1/4 cup of butter, and I didn’t have any whole wheat flour so I used white all purpose (added 1 tbsp for the sub) I used 1/2 cup of yellow sugar and 1/2 cup of dark brown, and I used Rogers Porridge Oats & Ancient Grains, (oat, rye, barley, spelt, quinoa, khorasan flakes, oat bran, millet, and flaxseed). I didn’t have any walnuts, or coconut, but I did have chocolate chips! I added 3/4 cup and I had a couple of tablespoons of cranberries, so I added those, too! They are delish! Thanks again!
Ha, glad these scratched the itch! Made some great substitutions. When a cookie calls…a cookie calls!
Everybody loved them! I will be making them again, for sure!