I made Double Chocolate Craisin Cookies recently and soon thereafter came to a realization I was born in the wrong body.
I enjoyed the sinfully delicious chocolate cookies exploding with dark chocolate morsels and dotted with cranberries dried into tart remnants of their former selves.
How many different ways are there to make chocolate cookies? I don’t know, but I’m inspired to find out.
And I like to do as much personal taste testing as possible. That’s why I know it’s all a big mistake. I was supposed to have been born in a body that didn’t have to worry about calories. A passion for food like I have should only be coupled with a high metabolism. Otherwise, it’s like da Vinci with no Mona Lisa or Jane Austen with no Emma. Or, as Alanis Morisette said, “it’s like rain on your wedding day or a free ride when you’ve already paid.” Ironic is what they call that.
And the human body is not without its own irony. Being marvelously efficient is a wonderful survival tool, especially when food is scarce. But it can be kind of a bummer to be so efficient when food is oh-so plentiful.
It’s not as if the universe is picking on me with some galactic-size practical joke. I’m not the only one with this metabolism; it just feels that way sometimes. In reality, the majority of people have to watch what they eat. Workout. Breathe.
So my theory is that if you can only have so many calories in a day, they might as well be mouth watering, finger licking, lip-smacking delicious.
There’s a light pattering of rain on the window as a fall storm approaches our neighborhood. I take a deep breath after my mid-morning workout and vow to enjoy the one cookie my meager calorie-burning body will allow. It may only be one cookie, but I will enjoy it enough for twenty!
Chocolate Craisin Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted vegan margarine, softened
- ¾ cup packed light-brown sugar
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 2-¼ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup dried cranberries (or cherries)
Directions:
Heat your oven to 350°F.
Place the margarine and sugars in a large bowl and mix with vigor until light and fluffy. I do it by hand to add a little workout to my kitchen experience. You may, however, use a mixer if you’ve already had your workout for the day. Next pour in the vanilla and applesauce and stir that all up together as well. Set aside.
Next mix all the dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl then add to the margarine mixture. Stir until well combined. and then add the chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
Use a large spoon to drop the dough onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
This is a cookie I can get behind! I love cranberries and this looks so tasty! I’m putting it on my list
November 7, 2011
6:48 pm
It’s important to really get behind those cookies. I agree, this is the one to do it. Besides, they have craisins? That means they’re healthy, right?
November 9, 2011
7:30 am
yum! these look great. i’m totally with you on the body version of “it’s a free ride…when you’ve already paid.”
November 7, 2011
7:45 pm
What a song!
November 9, 2011
7:30 am
These were SO GOOD!!!! I’ve been a vegan for two years now, and love to try various cookie recipes, but this one topped the bill! I made them for my English class and everyone kept asking me, in amazement, if the cookies were truly vegan. Thanks for the great recipe!!!
November 8, 2011
5:32 pm
So glad you liked the cookies. That makes my day!
November 9, 2011
7:31 am
Oh wow, this look fantastic! Going on my Christmas cookie list!
November 8, 2011
11:18 pm
They would be perfect on a Christmas cookie platter!
November 9, 2011
7:31 am
I agree with your theory. Life is too short to eat food that doesn’t taste good. These cookies look perfect, Marley. Thank you for sharing your creativity with me. Your blog is a great way to start my weekend. I hope your weekend is relaxing and that you get to bake some yummy treats!
November 12, 2011
9:13 am