Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Picnic Cookies

I think my boys might be hungry.  Summer has official arrived (with no advanced warning I might add) and we have been immersed in the hot, hazy, humid weather that only July can bring - I know it's not July yet - but that's kind of the point.  With temperatures this high, I find myself spending less and less time in the kitchen and in front of the stove/oven.  Even the BBQ has lost it's lustre, for who wants to stand out in this heat with fiery flames all around?  So, suffice it to say that we have been eating simply (save for the killer meal my husband put together last night) and not that often, which brings me back to the hungry children.

Today is a different day though.  It's the last day of school and while still exceptionally hot (at 6:15am this morning it was over 30 degrees Celsius with the humidex), I am back in the kitchen putting together foods for the teachers and an annual picnic lunch that my boys desperately want me to attend. We haven't had cookies, or anything of the sort lately, and what is a picnic without a great, rustic cookie tucked away tightly in a napkin-lined basket (sorry maybe I'm getting a little carried away today - it must be the heat!)?  So, off to the kitchen I went bright and early to create these yummy picnic cookies.

  

Loaded with chocolate chips, oatmeal and whole wheat pastry flour, these whole grain snacks are so, so good.  The perfect addition to any packed-up meal or summer gathering, I promise you will not be disappointed. My little sous-chef had great plans to help me out with these, and while he was reading me the list of ingredients (ha...secret reading practice) and helping to assemble what was needed, he quickly became distracted with wanting to eat his breakfast (I told you they were hungry) and left me alone to make these myself. That's okay though...it's too hot for both of us in the kitchen anyways.

PS - I didn't add nuts because theses are making their way to a school picnic but the addition of walnuts or pecans would be very welcome.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Picnic Cookies, my recipe

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla 

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

~ Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees.

~ Combine the flour, oats, baking soda and salt in a medium sized mixing bowl and set aside.

~ Using an electric hand mixer, or old-fashioned hand beater, beat the butter until smooth.  Add the sugars and mix until well combined.  

~ Add the vanilla and eggs and continue mixing until you arrive at a smooth consistency.

~ Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir to combine using a wooden spoon.  Add the chocolate chips and nuts and mix in with the spoon or your fingers.

~ Drop large tablespoons of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for 16 minutes.

~ Remove and set aside for five minutes to cool.

~ Store a room temperature, in an air tight container for up to three days.

~ Enjoy!

Comments

[Jackie @ PhamFatale.com]

I know what you mean when you mention the nuts. I made a whole batch of oatmeal and raisin cookies for my little one's preschool. I was so worries about the possible allergies the kids might have.

[Heidi]

I have a similiar recipe called "Cowboy Cookies" but it doesn't have whole wheat flour. I haven't been able to find whole wheat pastry flour. Could I mix half all purpose and half whole wheat?

[Lori]

Made them but adjusted the sugar with abit less and try agave nectar. Very chewy and good. Had to put in freezer so I would not eat them all!
Made a few ice cream sandwiches with them as well, YUMMY!!

Lori