Resolution: Eat Healthier.
We believe cooking should be fun, food should be enjoyable, and eating healthy should be easy and tasty! So, does award-winning teen chef &? PopCosmo PopStar, Kayla. We are so excited that she will be sharing her favorite recipes with us on a regular basis. Thanks, Kayla! Take it away...
"Healthy eating doesn't necessarily mean tofu and protein shakes. By making your own food and incorporating some simple switches, you can save a ton of calories and avoid artificial fillers without sacrificing taste. These Trail Mix Cookies will satisfy your sweet tooth, and they are full of oats, coconut, raisins, and nuts. You can change the ingredients as long as you keep the basic flavors and ratios, so try them with other dried fruits and nuts. I will also sometimes substitute whole wheat flour for about half of the all-purpose flour. Because there are so many oats, fruits, and nuts, you won't taste the difference. Enjoy!"
Trail Mix Cookies Makes 28, Recipe adapted from Gourmet
1/2 Stick Butter, Softened 1/4 Cup Shortening 1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar 1 Egg 1/2 tsp Baking Soda, Dissolved in 1 T Warm Water 1/2 Cup + 2T Flour 1/2 tsp Salt 1/2 tsp Vanilla 1 1/2 Cups Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats 1/4-1/2 Cup Sweetened Shredded Coconut 1 Cup Chocolate Chips 1/3 Cup Walnuts 2/3 Cup Raisins
Preheat oven to 375F and line cookie trays with parchment paper.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and shortening; beat in the brown sugar. Add in the egg, baking soda solution, flour, salt, and vanilla, stirring well after each addition. Stir in the oats, coconut, chocolate chips, peanuts, and raisins.
Scoop the dough into 28-30 balls. Place them on the cookie trays and flatten slightly. Bake 10-12 minutes or until browned.
Check out Kayla's blog for more ideas! Just click here!