Amanda's "Steak" Cookies (Oatmeal Raisin-Cranberry)

By Hklbrries

This is an adapted Oatmeal Raisin cookie recipe that I made up this Christmas. I am a vegetarian, but my family is not, so I wanted at least one cookie that I could eat. They came out incredibly chewy and filling, and my Mom said they would make you feel as if you had just eaten a steak - hence the name. Decrease the sugars if you think they might be too sweet, or if you can't find unsweetened applesauce. I also thought about substituting peanut butter for some of the applesauce to make them less fluffy (as noted above), but I haven't tried it yet. My family wasn't all that keen on these, but my vegan friend loved them.

Amanda

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp unsweetened applesauce (possibly substitute 3 tbsp peanut butter for 3 tbsp applesauce)
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup dried cranberries (or whatever choped dried fruit you like)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup white sugar (or a bit less, depending on the strength of your sweet tooth)
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups oatmeal

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

Mix the first four ingredients together and set aside, covered. This will allow the dried fruit to rehydrate somewhat before baking, so they don't turn into little fruit-flavored rocks.

Cream together the rest of the applesauce and sugars (at least, as well as these items can be creamed). Add flour, salt, cinnamon and soda to sugar mixture. Mix well. Blend in raisin-cranberry mixture, oatmeal, and wheat germ (you can add 3/4-cup chopped nuts if you like them). Dough should be fairly stiff - if it's too wet, add a bit more flour and possibly a pinch of baking powder, depending on your altitude. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto lightly-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for approximately 12 to 15 minutes (check them often - mine had to bake for almost 30 because I made them too big and too wet the first time), or until they appear fluffy. You might want to make a test batch, then take one out and tear it open to see if it is too doughy inside before you pronounce them done. If they don't seem to be rising, add a pinch more baking powder.