Super Loaded Oatmeal Cookies Recipes

LOADED OATMEAL COOKIES

Steps:

• Prepare a 17.5-ounce package oatmeal cookie mix as the label directs, but substitute 1/2 cup applesauce for the butter or oil and add 1/4 cup wheat germ and 1 cup each chopped mixed nuts, dried fruit and shredded coconut to the batter.

SUPER-LOADED OATMEAL COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk the all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and coconut oil in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar and beat until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture until just combined. Beat in the oats, coconut, pepitas, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, walnuts and cranberries. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the dough into balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and arrange 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are golden and dry around the edges, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

GIANT LOADED OATMEAL COOKIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and light, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the peanut butter and mix until smooth. Scrape down the bowl. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low. Add the flour, baking soda and salt and mix just until combined. Add the oats and mix just until combined.
• Combine the dried cranberries, chocolate chips and peanuts in a small bowl. Add all but a few tablespoons of the cranberry mixture to the dough and mix just until combined. Refrigerate the dough until slightly firm, about 15 minutes.
• Turn out the dough onto the baking sheet. Press into a 9-inch round, about 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle the top with the reserved dried cranberry mixture and press to adhere. Bake until the cookie is crisp and golden around the edges and set in the center, 22 to 24 minutes. Transfer the pan to a rack and let the cookie cool completely on the pan. Cut into wedges.

LOADED OATMEAL COOKIES (PAULA DEEN)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Lightly grease cookie sheets. With electric mixer cream together butter, shortening and sugar in a bowl until fluffy. Add eggs and beat until mixture is light in color. Add buttermilk (it will appear a little curdled at this stage, don't worry).
• Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg,cinnamon, cloves and allspice; stir into creamed mixture. Stir in oatmeal, raisins, walnuts and vanilla, blending well. (Dough will be soft and sticky).
• Drop by rounded teaspoons onto cookie sheet. (I use a small cookie dough scoop that looks like an ice cream scoop--makes this job easy and ensures uniformly rounded cookies).
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Oven temperatures and size of cookies you make vary, so check your first batch at least by 9 to 10 minutes.
• For Brown Butter Glaze: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, then continue to cook, stirring occasionally until butter is a golden brown.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir in enough water to make the icing of drizzling consistency. Drizzle over warm cookies.
• *Cook's Note: Paula Deen's original recipe calls for 3 cups of sifted powdered sugar. I found that to be too much. I also found it easier to bake all of the cookies and line them up closely on cooling rack, then make glaze and drizzle cookies all at one time. You get a more consistent glaze this way as it tends to harden as it cools.