Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Granola Grabbers (TWD)


This week's Tuesdays with Dorie (TWD) recipe was chosen by Michelle of Bad Girl Baking: Granola Grabbers. I originally planned on sitting this one out. First, I didn't have any wheat germ and the smallest container I could find at the store was 16 ounces, more than I could ever use. I didn't even know what wheat germ was until now! According to Wikipedia, wheat germ is the "heart," or embryo, of the cereal kernel seed. Then there was the matter of nuts. I don't like nuts (except for peanuts - and I usually prefer peanut butter over whole peanuts). This recipe calls for peanuts and almonds. I wasn't sure how it would turn out if I omitted the almonds (and I didn't want to add double the amount of peanuts to make up for the volume).


Then I saw on the TWD P&Q (Problems & Questions) that Hannah of DeL Sisters Kitchen had made them without the wheat germ, just substituting wheat flour for all purpose flour. It was then that I decided to forge ahead with the recipe and give it a try.


Several others commented that the cookies were too sweet, but I guess that's pretty subjective because neither my husband nor myself thought that. They were nice and crunchy around the edges, chewy in the middle, with a little bit of a sweet and a little bit of salty. We honestly couldn't stop going back for more! I wasn't a huge fan of the peanuts in these cookies, but that still didn't stop me from going back for more ;) They're like a cross between oatmeal cookies and granola bars.


Aside from omitting the wheat germ and using whole wheat flour in place of the all purpose flour, I omitted the almonds. Dorie recommends using granuloa without fruit in it, so I picked up some Orange Pecan Zest Granola made by Jake's Natural Fine Foods. I figured the small bits of pecans in the granola would make up for the almonds I was omitting.


Thanks again to Michelle for choosing the Granola Grabbers. I'm glad I didn't sit this one out. This was a really simple recipe that will certainly satisfy any craving for granola or trail mix. It's probably not something I will make often, but I'm much more likely to make these than I am homemade granola. If you would like the recipe for these cookies, you can find it here (with recipe tips here). Make sure you visit the TWD Blog Roll to see how everyone else enjoyed these wholesome cookies.

30 comments:

  1. these look great! nice work customizing them to your tastes.

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  2. I loved them too and couldn't get enough! Yours look so perfectly toasty and golden!

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  3. I didn't think I had wheat germ either, but found some in my freezer (a good way to store it) that my mom had given me! These were great cookies!

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  4. Good for you for not sitting this one out! I love weath germ myself, but hey I'm sure they were as good like you did them, because they look great and I could see my self eating quite a few!

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  5. I'm glad the cookies turned out to be such a sucess for you. Mine were actually on the dry and hard side.. I would love to try a crunchy cookie like yours.

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  6. I nearly sat this one out too - so glad I didn't! I love your top photo, it makes me practically taste the cookie.

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  7. orange pecan zest granola? sounds like the perfect addition to the cookies. great job!

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  8. That's why I love the bulk section at my store - it makes these sorts of recipes a bit easier. Nice subs though, and I'm glad you liked them!

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  9. I'm VERY glad that you didn't sit this one out - the granola grabbers look absolutely phenomenal!!

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  10. These look wonderful!. I love how flexible this recipe is!

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  11. The orange pecan zest granola sounds delicious! Glad that you didn't sit this one out your granola grabbers look terrific!

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  12. I didn't find that mine was overly sweet either.

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  13. Looks great! That granola sounds yummy! I used gingersnap granola and skipped the wheat germ too.

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  14. Glad you decided to bake one with the team. I always love reading your blog and I would have been sad. (How's that for some melodrama? haha) Cookies look yummy. Great job!
    Clara @ iheartfood4thought

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  15. They look great! These cookies didn't last long in our house! We loved them!!

    -Amy
    www.singforyoursupperblog.com

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  16. although these cookies look great and sound healthy, i can't get behind them. there's no cinnamon! that's a sin against humanity. :)
    seriousy, nice job. :)

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  17. Oh, your cookies look perfect! Nice job.

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  18. They look great! I had a tough time stopping myself with these cookies, and I wasn't even sure I was going to like them! Glad they were a success.

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  19. Jaime, As always, great photos! Mine didn't look too good for this post as I had a crisis at home and had to rush to take them last night (after dark - I know, I know...). thanks for your comment - you really should try making granola sometime, it's easier than many things we make for TWD.

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  20. I love the look of the crispy edges on your cookies. They look sooo yummy.

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  21. Your cookies look great! I didn't think they were too sweet either :)

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  22. We put pecans in ours but no orange. That sounds really good! Your pics are really nice!

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  23. Your cookies look soooo delicious! Perfect texture and with those pictures, I can just about taste them... Isn't it great when things work out so successfully?
    Nancy
    The dogs Eat the Crumbs

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  24. Looks good. I liked the granola cookies I made awhile back...so I bet these were great.

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  25. Your cookies look great, im yet to post mine as they're very dark! Great blog!

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  26. I am soooo not a baker but I'm dying for a cookie (or 10) to have with my coffee right now! How sad that it's 10:00a.m and I'm craving COOKIES!

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  27. Your cookies always look so neat and delicious, Jaime! These are going to my list.

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  28. those look good, i've never had granola in a cookie before, but i'd give that a shot!

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  29. Your pictures are gorgeous, and the granola flavor sounds amazing, too. Orange zest would have been a good addition to these cookies.

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  30. You can never go wrong with granola, great work!

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