Monday, April 15, 2013

The Cure for Taxing Woes

Is your head spinning? You're not alone. They say misery loves company, and April 15th is the day of the year when everyone has plenty of company. I know my head was a little woozy when I finally came up for air after doing my taxes.

This is the day of the year when we all deserve comfort food. Apparently, there's a benefit to eating complex carbohydrates, like oatmeal, because they help calm feelings of anxiety. Cool, huh?

There's another favorite food that calms and relaxes us. We're doing ourselves a big favor when we reach for chocolate. It's loaded with serotonin, which is soothes us, and even reduces stress hormones!

But wait, there's one more. Cherries are rich in melatonin, which reduces irritability and helps headaches.

So April 15th must be the day of the dark chocolate and dried cherry oatmeal cookie. I've eaten (shh) two, and I'm feeling better already!

I tried making these a little differently. Instead of creaming the butter and sugar, I melted the butter with the sugar and then added it to a beaten egg. I'm not sure there's actually much difference, but it worked out fine.

The recipe makes a very thick batter.

 

The cookies don't run, so you can wedge them quite close together on the baking sheet.




Dark Chocolate Chip and 
Cherry Oatmeal Cookie
(makes about 20 2 1/2 inch cookies)

1 stick (eight tablespoons) unsalted butter
1 cup dark brown sugar

3/4 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
1/3 cup dried cherries

Melt the butter with the sugar over medium heat. Set aside to cool.

Preheat oven to 350. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet.

Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

Beat the egg well. Add a small amount of the flour mixture and beat. Add a small amount of the butter mixture and beat. Alternate adding them until incorporated. Add the vanilla and mix well. Add the oatmeal and mix. Add chocolate chips and dried cherries and mix.

The batter will be very thick. Roll it into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and place on parchment paper. Using your palm or the base of a glass, flatten them to about 1/2 inch thick.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes.


Here's hoping everyone feels better soon!


12 comments:

  1. Cherries and chocolate sounds like the perfect combination! Can I have one even if we filed for an extension??? xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Extensions are a headache in themselves! You may have one now and more when you file!

      ~Kristia

      Delete
  2. I'm headed for the PO this morning (actually I filed my MA taxes electronically yesterday, but they want money). Cookies make everything better! Hmm, do I have any dried cherries?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They wanted money from me, too. I think that calls for extra cookies.

      ~Krista

      Delete
  3. These make it almost worth doing the taxes. Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but they look really good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, Libby! At least they're a comforting reward at the end of the process.

      ~Krista

      Delete
  4. Yum. Love the whole sound of this! Cherries and chocolate. Definitely. My taxes are done. Will these help me with my outlining?

    Daryl /Avery

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They might help you relax if the outlining isn't going well!

      ~Krista

      Delete
  5. Delicious antidote for tax day, Krista. I'm on board with this righteous remedy--love the combo of ingredients, esp. those cheerful cherries.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The cherries add a chewy note, too. We're really enjoying these cookies.

      ~Krista

      Delete
  6. Oh, these sound so good! I love the combination of chocolate and cherry. I can't wait to try these.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow! I feel better just reading about these. I can't wait to try them. Thanks, Krista!

    ReplyDelete