Faith, Hope And Cookies

When I read a claim that promises whatever is being touted is the best, cheapest, healthiest, tastiest, or most perfect thing ever, I tend to scoff and move on, suspecting that they're get-rich-quick efforts from online sharks; the evangelistic opinion of one; or anything in between the two. What can I say? I have trust issues. Still, for some reason, cookies inhabit another part of my brain. A trusting part. A part that promises me comfort and revels in the sensory delights of baking. I know, I know. I shouldn't trust this part of my brain any more than those internet snake-oil salesmen, because, hello? Until someone invents a zero-calorie treat, every wondrous cookie claim should be taken with a pinch of baking soda. 

All the same, going recipe-hunting and coming across one whose very name would normally have me scrolling on if it was anything other than a cookie recipe, was a hook I couldn't ignore!

The Healthiest Cookies Ever is that hook. I mean, yeah, sure, “healthiest cookies ever". (Please note the irony quotes.) But cookies... It's a real scroll on/click link quandary.

Please. Of course I clicked. And liked. And printed out.

The recipe says the quantity of mix is for twelve cookies, but I made mine more bite-sized and got twenty-six, uh wait... :: looks at final cookie photo :: um, twenty-four cookies :: wipes crumbs from mouth :: in total.

You need:

1½ cups or approx 190g raw walnut halves

1 cup or approx 175g dates, pitted (I used fourteen whole dates)

¼ tsp salt

½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg (recommended flax egg if paleo or vegan)

½ cup or 190g dark chocolate chips (optional)

(I always snort when I see the word ‘optional' after ingredients such as chocolate chips. To me it's just as redundant as the ‘sharing' packs of Revels or M&Ms, or their added sticky closure so you can save more for later, as if the manufacturers truly believe you won't actually just scarf the whole bag down in one go. Bless.) 

It's quite a quick recipe this, doubly so for me this time, because I was going to use an electric implement. Oh yes! Well, actually, it's the last working pieces of an old hand-blender/electric whisk/mini processor that I bought a few years ago. I used the blender part to blitz my home-made soups, but because it was made of plastic, it didn't actually last very long. (Metal all the way, boys and girls, if you like your hand-blender to remain unwarped and working properly for more than six months...)

But I digress. Before I interrupted myself, I was explaining that this is actually quite a quick recipe, so I have no qualms in inviting you to preheat your ovens to 350f or 175c. (How many recipes have I done that say Turn On Your Oven, then tell you near the end that you need to set/proof/chill the dough for hours, forgetting that your oven has been on, toasty, and eagerly awaiting your raw cookies for an eternity already.)

So. Ovens on? Then we'll begin.

Firstly (or secondly if you're including turning on the oven...) line your baking sheets with parchment, and set them aside. 

In your glorified herb chopper (or food processor should you own one) whizz the dates and walnuts together until they form a crumbly mixture.

Then add in the salt, baking soda, vanilla extract, and egg (flax or otherwise) and whizz again until the batter is smoothish, then add in the choc chips, then give it a final quick whizz to distribute them evenly.

Bring your lined baking sheets back from whence they were banished, and spoon on the batter, using your hands to flatten the cookie dough. Actually, I used another spoon kept damp to avoid sticking to each cookie as I pressed it down. Not that you can tell...

Bake for twelve minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden, then keep them on the sheets to cool for ten minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

According to the author, you can store these up to a week in the fridge, or for a month or more in the freezer. They're really rather deliciously squishy and moreish, so more power to you if you feel that you won't be able to get through the cookies before they go off, and need to freeze them instead.

Me? Mine are already boxed up and in the fridge, safe away from grabby hands (mine) and will no doubt be enjoyably snarfled long before they have time to even think about being anything less than scrumptious! (But in a conscientious way of course... emptying the container in one day would turn these Healthiest Cookies Ever into an oxymoron!)