Crunchy, Hearty Oatmeal Cookies
It’s been quiet here because I’ve been in the kitchen! I have a carrot cake recipe to share, but won’t be posting that until after it’s been cut, served and reviewed by some friends at a dinner. In the meantime, here’s an oatmeal cookie recipe. This is an old one I’ve been playing around with. It fits the bill when you are looking for a hearty, crunchy oatmeal cookie – my favorite kind as of late.
The original recipe was similar to this, but used 1/4 cup of molasses instead of the honey/molasses combo. I like molasses, but figured ¼ would be overpowering, so I cut it with some honey. I’m glad I did because you can really taste the molasses. In fact, next time I might try a different kind of syrup such as brown rice syrup. Shortening is key in this recipe because it gives the cookies their crunchy, dense texture. If you don’t use shortening because of the trans-fats, I am happy to report that the trans-fat free Crisco worked very well.
Aside from varying the syrups and nuts a bit and maybe using whole wheat flour, I plan on making this my go-to oatmeal cookie. At least when I’m cooking them for myself.
Crunchy, Hearty Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening (trans fat free)
1/4 cup butter, melted and slightly browned if desired
1 cup brown sugar, packed (I used part dark brown, part light brown)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoon molasses, corn syrup, maple syrup or some other syrup
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups oats, old fashioned
1 cup pecans, chopped and toasted
1/4 cup coconut
Stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening, melted butter and both sugars until creamy (I used a wooden spoon). Stir in honey & syrup, egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture and stir until incorporated. Stir in oats, pecans and coconut.
Using wet hands, form mixture into 3/4 to 1 inch balls and place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Using palm of wet hand, press down slightly to about ½ inch. Bake at 350 degrees for 11-13 minutes or until edges are brown. Remove to a rack to cool. They will crisp and firm up quite a bit as they cool.
Makes 2 to 2 ½ dozen depending on how big you make the dough balls.
Yum, glad to know the trans fat free Crisco is working out. I should check to see what’s in the pantry.
BTW I love that you’ve noted that this is now your ‘go to oatmeal cookie’. Maybe ‘go to’ warrants its own section in the index? Just a thought …
I love the Trans-fat free crisco, but my Krogers just sold out on CLOSEOUT! Is that across the country or just here? I am down to my last 2.5 bars. RRRGGGG!
Hi Alanna!
To be honest, there are a few recipes where I felt the trans fat free Crisco just didn’t perform as well as regular. I’d rather use it than the regular stuff, though. Frankly, if I could get my hands on good leaf lard, which is not hyrogenated and which I think you have to ask your butcher for, I’d try that. Then again, I wouldn’t want cookies to taste like pork. What to do, what to do? I’m all about moderation, but trans-fat scares the crap out of me.
Claire, see above
.
I do wonder why they are discontinuing it.
Maybe next year they’ll say “Oops. We were wrong about tranfat and it’s really not so bad.” I’m waiting for that day, but not holding my breath at this point.
Crunchy oatmeal cookies are the only kind (of oatmeal cookies) that I like! (I like my granola bars the same way.)
I’m so glad Crisco has a TF-free version. Being Southern, I can’t help but use shortenin’!
Hi there,
I made these on the weekend, and really love them. Mine came out of the oven a bit late, which has given them a caramelised taste and texture.
People who have tried them say they’re like Anzac biscuits – Australian biscuits with golden syrup, coconut and oats. But the cinnamon and honey give them an echo of baklava – so it’s like a bastardised Anzac recipe.
Thanks for posting it
-Naomi.
Hello Naomi,
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and especially, for trying the recipe. I really love these cookies too. What I like about them is that they are kind of “hearty”. They also (like ANZACs) have a pretty long shelf-life, especially if you use the vegan egg substitute. Lately, I’ve been adding mini chocolate chips as well.
Excellent cookies. I made these with whole wheat flour which makes them even more hearty. There is JUST the right amount of molasses and coconut so both add to the flavor but neither dominates. This is now MY go-to oatmeal cookie recipe. Thanks!
Debbi, so far everyone whose baked these cookies has had good results. I need to put a big star by this recipe or something.
More Crunchy Cookies! Please! can’t get enough and hard to find…..everyone wants chewy……
Hi Allen,
I have nothing against chewy cookies, but crunchy cookies — made properly and not just burnt to crunchiness, are extra satisfying.
Oh, but I DO have something against chewy cookies. I believe that any word that has two hard “k” sounds should crunch. I rue the day that Chewy cookies became the rage. For I love me a good, hearty BITE.
I have a great recipe from the great american cookie book for peanut butter chocolate chunkers that rocks my world if you want it.
hey tryed your recipe and absolutly LOVED them everyone wants them i cant get out of the kitchen ha ha but i did make a slight change i halved the flour and added an equal amount of flax instead it really worked out well and no one knows the difference! thanks for THE best oatmeal cookies!
Try adding 1 or 2 cups of Rice Krispies with the oats, pecans, & coconut…mmmmm!
Thanks for this — I’ve been looking everywhere for crunchy oatmeal cookies!
Love the crunchy consistency of these cookies. I used whole wheat flour, and didn’t have any crisco, so just used butter, seemed to work ok. I tried choc chips in one batch, and raisins in another, and you know, they are perfect just as they are. The cinnamon and syrup adds enough sweetness, you don’t need extras. I will make these again!
Kelley, thanks for the recent review. I haven’t made these in a while but have been craving crunchy oatmeal cookies and probably should. Glad to hear using all butter works.