Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Soft Banana, Chocolate, Oatmeal Cookies


I know it's hard to believe, but we were out of baked goods around here yesterday.  After dealing with the shame of being baked-good-less; I scoured the pantry looking for a little inspiration.  Staring back at me was a jar of coconut oil I bought before the holidays just languishing away.

I've been wanting to make something with it for months, but had other recipe priorities.  I did a little research so I could decide what would be the best use for it.  I found a cookie recipe on a blog I thought was perfect.  Whipped up a batch of them and would have thrown the whole batch out had it not been for Hot Dog Dude offering to take them off my hands.  People should probably quit giving me ammunition (I mean material) for my book.  

I might go so far as to call these cookies healthy.  The coconut oil replaces the traditionally called for shortening and leaves them with a nice soft texture.  I used all brown sugar for a little extra flavor.  There is a faint coconut flavor from the oil and the oatmeal adds a nice chewy texture. 

Soft Banana, Chocolate, Oatmeal Cookies
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 ripe banana, mashed
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine coconut oil and sugar in a bowl and mix until well combined.  My coconut oil was solidified with a very similar consistency to shortening.  If yours is runny you might want to place it in the fridge until it firms up. Add egg and banana and mix till combined.  Add the flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and mix until combined.  Add the chocolate chips and mix until combined.


Scoop dough into small balls and place balls a few inches apart onto cookie sheets lined with parchment.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Makes about 48 depending on size.   


Have any of you tried coconut oil and do you have a favorite way to use it?  I'm vowing to no longer ignore my jar of coconut oil or end up baked-good-less again.  

Enjoy,

Gina

15 comments:

  1. Gina,
    Your cookies look and sound wonderful. I have used coconut oil with excellent results, in cookies, pancakes, muffins, Peach Walnut Loaf, and several others. Glad that you discovered your coconut oil:)

    Have a great week!

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    1. Becky I will have to go bookmark so of yours. They all sound good. You too have a great week.

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  2. I love soft cookies, the coconut oil in them sounds delicious!

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  3. Gina - these look divine! I have not cooked with coconut oil, but it is a must! Hope you are doing well!!!!

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  4. Love the combination of coconut and banana! It's like a tropical party in cookie form. I have some quickly browning bananas on my counter demanding to be made into these cookies :)

    PS: Thank you for your kind comment on my last post. It's nice to have friends in the blogosphere during difficult times and you certainly are a friend.

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  5. Elvis called and wants a cookie (oh, work with me here)! LOL :) I haven't used coconut oil yet, but these sure look delish!

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  6. Now, if I could just reach in and grab a few of these babies......

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  7. o yes, chewy soft banana cookies...I like that you have used coconut oil in this cookie recipe.

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  8. omg. These looks like heaven. Another great recipe to add to my oatmeal cookie obsession. I have yet to tackle that unopened jar of coconut oil in the pantry. This is a great inspiration.

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  9. I love coconut oil in cooking. We use it for many things, from sweet to savoury and even as moisturiser on dry skin. The cookies look really good.

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  10. I can't tell you how many times I have passed by the coconut oil at Trader Joe's - I know there will be a whole world for me to explore once I buy one and open the jar, and these cookies will be the first I try!

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  11. I use my coconut oil for popping popcorn!

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  12. I have never baked with coconut oil before but am now inspired to because of how good these cookies look! I could eat banana, chocolate, and coconut all day long so to combine them in one delicious cookie makes me a really happy girl. Have a great week, Gina!

    -Lisa

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