Muffins or cookies? Which one to bake or should I just bake both. In my zest and zeal for eating, especially baked goods, it would be wiser for me to choose baking one or the other and not both. I’ve been working-out with Jillian Michaels’ dvds and I don’t think I’ll be able to handle enough of her workouts that would be needed if I made and ate both a batch of cookies -and- muffins (no matter how wholesome or portion-controlled a cookie or muffin “could” be) in one day.
I found this recipe that truly gives me the best of both worlds…in this case it includes homemade cookies and banana muffins all-in-one. These cookies are reminiscent of great textured muffin tops. Good, wholesome flavor and ingredients that just may feel acceptable to enjoy for breakfast!
These tasty and fun cookies are from Martha Stewart’s Cookies (2008) cookbook. The ingredients already called for whole wheat flour in the original recipe (love that!). I’ve increased the amount of walnuts and added a tasty tart element in using dried cranberries. Use a large cookie scoop when working with the cookie dough. You’ll want generous sized cookies baked chunky and hearty!
Cookies for breakfast anyone?
Some of the star ingredients in these muffin-top like cookies:
Chocolate, Walnuts, Oats, and dried Cranberries
- Increased the amount of walnuts and added dried cranberries. Dried sour cherries would be a good add-in too.
- No semisweet chocolate? Bittersweet would do well in these cookies too, especially with the contrast of dried cranberries/cherries.
- Used a 1/4-cup capacity cookie scoop to form the dough balls. Great sized cookie!
- (Optional) Slightly flatten the tops of the cookie dough balls with the palm of your hands
Makes about 3 dozen cookies
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup (1 and 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 1 large banana)
1 cup old-fashioned oats
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped into chunks
3/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries (can substitute dried cherries)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together flours, salt, and baking soda in a medium-sized bowl.
Put butter and both sugars into the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and add the egg and vanilla; mixing until combined. Add the mashed banana. Add the flour mixture and mix until until combined. Stir in the oats, chocolate chunks, walnuts and cranberries.
Using a 1/4-cup capacity ice cream or cookie scoop, drop dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. (Optional) Slightly flatten the tops of the cookie dough balls with the palm of your hands. Space cookies about 2 inches apart. Baking cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are golden brown and just set – about 12-13 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Let cookies cool completely.
Store cookies in an airtight container.
Cookies for breakfast, anyone?
Banana-Walnut Chocolate-Chunk and Cranberries Cookies
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Mmmm love that the texture of these cookies are like muffin tops because I loooovee the tops of muffins! But I love eating cookies too. 🙂 They look so good!
CJ at Food Stories says
Thx for connecting with me on foodbuzz. I just subscribed to your blog feed and can’t wait to see what your next post will be!
GourmetGetaways says
These look so delicious and wholesome. I think I will have to make them for the kids school lunch… I also absolutely love your images. The eggplant for the next story is a work of art, well done!!
Beth Michelle says
These are perfect for breakfast! A muffin and a cookie all in one! Love everything about these. Super delicious combination of ingredients.
Sandy says
Ohh these look just wonderful with that just slightly browned edge–perfection !
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I love this!!!! The combination sounds perfect for my liking. There are so many combinations for the cookies/muffins, but all these ingredients in here sound so good! Also I love how you baked these cookies rather crispy/crunchy…
Cristina says
Thank you, Nami!! 😀
RKM says
These look delicious! I prefer muffins for breakfest, but I never thought of a muffin cookie. I could have these every morning. Your photos are beautiful, thanks for making me hungry!
Cristina says
Hi RKM and thank you! 🙂 I prefer healthy muffins to start the day too…but I’m also known to eat cookies for bfast too.
thelittleloaf says
You should never have to choose between muffins and cookies, but I guess if you did these would be the perfect option as they look and sound incredible! Y3m yum yum 🙂
Cristina says
I think you’re absolutely right…we shouldn’t have to choose between muffins and cookies (but my waistline says otherwise!) 🙂
Samantha says
There are so many good things in these cookies that they almost have to be healthy and muffins. I would eat these for breakfast and all the other meals too. Printing this out now!
Cristina says
Hi Samantha and thank you. Please, if you make these – pls stop by and leave a comment on how they turned out and how you liked it. Much appreciated! 🙂
Suzi says
These look fantastic, oats, walnuts and chocolate. Yumm. Love your photos too.
Cristina says
Thank you so much, Suzi!!
Tina@flourtrader says
These cookies are packed with flavor! Also, each flavor does compliment the other. Between the flavor and the myriad of textures, they do look like winners to me. Awesome photos as well! Enjoy the day.
Cristina says
Hi Tina and thank you! The flavors do compliment…a really good cookie. 😀
Melissa@EyesBigger says
ummm… you had me at cookies with muffin tops! and then you added cranberries so I was pretty much sold and that was before I even got to the chocolate part 😀 I’d eat these for breakfast any day! Also, how are you finding the Jillian Michaels workouts? Been looking for something new to do.
Cristina says
Thx Melissa: I was looking for a new workout too and am enjoying the challenges of the Jillian workouts. I’ve been working through the “Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30” and it kicks. Really. I’m going to email you about it. 🙂