All this advice in the media on eating chia, hemp, flax, sunflower…whatever the seed may be. Studies state that these kinds of seeds are good for your heart, make you feel satisfied or full and actually lower bad cholesterol. Have you ever asked yourself, “Ok I get it, I’m going to make the effort to consume chia or hemp seeds…but which one when and how often?” I have the answer!! I decided I’d take a variety of these seeds and pack them into a cookie. Add the sour tinge of dried cranberries, the savoury excitement of course kosher salt, the sweetness of dark organic chocolate chips, maybe some unsweetened organic coconut and you have a taste sensation of chewy, crunchy, seedy mounds of goodness. Did I hear you motivated parents say, “That’s an awesome way to get some nutrition into the back to school lunch box.” Yes, you got it right!
The thing about this recipe is that you can take out or add what you like i.e. raisins instead of cranberries, or maybe add ¼ cup of flaxseed, or sesame or both. Maybe take out the hemp seeds altogether. These cookies are very forgiving. So do what you like with what you feel you or your family would enjoy. One more note, I used organic ingredients where possible. If you can’t find organic then by all means use conventional.
Super Seed, Nut & Fruit Oatmeal Cookies with Chia and Hemp Makes about 56 cookies
1 ¾ cup flour (may be a multi or mix your own grains) 1 ¾ cup oatmeal ½ cup coconut ¼ cup chia seeds ¼ cup hemp seeds ½ cup chocolate chips ½ cup cranberries ¼ cup sunflower seeds 1 tsp Baking powder 1 tsp Baking soda 1 tsp coarse kosher salt 1 cup butter 1 cup brown sugar ½ cup cane sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F
In mixing bowl beat butter add brown sugar and cane sugar beat on medium until mixed. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix.
Combine flour, oatmeal, coconut, chia and hemp seed, baking powder, baking soda and course kosher salt. Add to the butter mixture and just combine until mixed. Do not over mix.
Then incorporate the dried cranberries and organic dark chocolate chips. Gently combine all ingredients.
Use a portion scoop or tablespoon to drop cookies onto baking sheet. Gently flatten with the palm of your hand.
Bake 10-12 minutes. Do not overbake. Less is more chewy. More is crispy.