[posted by Joan]
Last week when shopping with Rebecca, I started longing for a big, chewy oatmeal cookie. I saw some on display at Good Earth Restaurant and bakery, but alas, they were not vegan. I went online to search for a recipe to try at home, and immediately found this one From the Oh She Glows website:
The Ultimate Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
http://ohsheglows.com/2010/09/11/the-ultimate-vegan-oatmeal-raisin-cookie/
It sounded intriguing: ground toasted walnuts, kamut flour, almond milk, maple syrup. I got out the ingredients and set to work. However, I did nor realize until I started reading the recipe that it called for a food processor, and mine was broken. So, I used a high speed blender instead. Next time, I’ll make it in my Cuisinart, which should be easier.
I followed the recipe exactly, except for using coconut sugar instead of sucanat. And the verdict: the best, chewiest, most flavorful oatmeal raisin cookies I ever tasted!
Here is my modified version of the recipe.
Ingredients:
• 1 & 3/4 cups walnuts, toasted
• 2 cups regular oats, divided
• 3/4 cup Kamut flour
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp almond milk
• 3-1/2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup raisins
• Note: adding chocolate chips and some flaked coconut would also be delicious!
Directions: Preheat oven to 350F line two cookies sheets with parchment paper.
Place thewalnuts on one baking sheet. Toast walnuts in oven for about 10-12 minutes, until golden in color. Watch carefully so as not to burn. When walnuts are toasted remove from oven and cool for a few minutes. Dump walnuts into food processor and process until just finely ground, no more. In a medium sized bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, 1 cup oats, cinnamon, and coconut sugar. Now add the dry ingredients to the food processor and process for about 20-30 seconds until mixed. In a small bowl add the coconut oil and microwave for 20 seconds to soften (if necessary). In the same bowl, stir in the maple syrup, almond milk, and vanilla, and pour into food processor. Process until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Remove bowl from processor and dump contents into a large bowl. Mix in the remaining 1 cup of oats by stirring or with hands. Fold in the 2/3 cup of raisins. Take about 2 tbsp of dough, make a ball, and then flatten with fingers. Place on cookie sheets. Repeat. Bake for 10 minutes at 350F and no longer. Remove from oven and let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes before placing onto a cooling rack for 10-15 minutes. Makes about 16 large cookies.