Here's to you Mr.Robinson

The past few days have been cooler, hovering around 20*C instead of the 30 and above we were lucky enough to enjoy for a bit there. With the cooler weather comes a chance to catch up on household duties that get neglected when the sun is shining, and the beach is beckoning. Between all the housework over the last few days, we've snuck some cookie and bread baking into the mix.

 One reason for baking cookies is for Hottie Husband who has an extreme endurance event this weekend and needs healthy snacks with a complex combination of high carb-healthy fats-and protien to keep him fueled and racing for a full 24 hours! Sounds like fun right? The boys and I are looking forward to cheering him and his team on -  and if the boys are happy, we'll make it a full hour on the sidelines...I can only imagine what level of exhaustion he will be feeling upon completing this; and what sense of accomplishment as well!

 And the sweeter, chocolatey cookies were whipped up to say 'thank you' to Mr.Robinson [as Darius calls him] whom has been driving the-best-Daddy-in-the-world to work the past few days so we could have the car to run errands. Pretty awesome service in deed! According to Darius,"Mr.Robinson doesn't feel old enough to be called Mr.Robinson, but that's his name; so that's what I call him." I love how he calls adults Mr&Mrs and at times throws their first names in the middle too! Either way, Mr.Robinson is a great guy, and we really wanted to let him know that we appreciate his kindness and thought cookies might help drive that message home :)

Once both batches of cookies were whipped up and taste tested I just needed to share! Not only have both recipes received high praise and rave reviews, esspecially from Eli who cries when his cookie is gone haha! but there is always a need for cookies from the two extremes - healthy, and not so healthy but oh so incredibly yummy!. So here's to you Mr.Robinson! We'd love to bake for you anytime!

Cosmic Cookies

adapted from Planet Organic's orignial recipe

2 1/4 cups	old fashioned rolled oats
2 cups	Spelt flour
1 cup	Sunflower seeds
3/4 cup + 2 tbsp	Pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup	Shredded coconut, unsweetened
1/4 cup	Flax seeds, measured prior to grinding
1 cup	Granulated cane sugar
1 tbsp	Cinnamon, ground
2 1/4 tsp	Sea salt
1 3/4 cups	Dark chocolate chips
1 1/4 cups	Raisins
1/4 cup	Water
1/4 cup	fancy molasses
3/4 cup	apple sauce, unsweetened
1 cup	almond milk, unsweetened

	Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line baking trays with a silpat pad.
	In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients, everything from oats to raisins. In a separate large bowl, combine wet ingredients, everything from water to almond milk. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix slow at a low speed (or by hand) until just combined. Do not over mix.
	Portion cookie dough using a 1/3-cup measure and place onto lined baking tray. Gently flatten cookies before baking. Bake for 24 minutes or until lightly browned. Yields 24 cookies [ we also made smaller cookies, which are pictured above. For the smaller cookies we used our cookie scoop, and they baked for 12 minutes] Let rest on pan before transfering to cooling rack to cool completely. These are a fabulous option for breakfast cookies, meal replacements, or snacks!

Double Chocolate Coconut Cookies

adated from Tasty Kitchen

Ingredients

1-¼ cup fresh ground whole wheat  flour*

¼ cups (Rounded) Cocoa Powder, Unsweetened

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

⅛ teaspoons Salt

6 Tablespoons  Vegan Butter, Room Temperature

3 Tablespoons Coconut Oil

½ cups Granulated Cane Sugar

½ cups Powdered Maple Syrup [alternatively use brown sugar]

1 whole Large Egg [alternatviely use egg replacer, flax egg, or chia egg]

1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla

1 teaspoon Coconut Extract

1/4 cup apple sauce, unsweetened*

1 cup Shredded Coconut (unsweetened)

1 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips


Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In an electric mixer, cream together the butter, coconut oil, and sugars. Scrape down the sides and then add the egg, coconut extract, and vanilla, applesauce; mix to combine. On a low speed, gradually add the flour and cocoa mixture, until incorporated. Add the shredded coconut and oats and mix. Add chocolate chips and mix until just folded in. The dough will be pretty solid. Form into balls about the size of a heaping tablespoon and place on a lined-baking sheet (with a Silpat or parchment paper).
Bake at 350ºF for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for about 2 minutes more on the sheet, then remove and place on a cooling rack.


* omit applesauce if using all purpose flour.


Makes the most of these wonderful summer days, and bring the fun inside when outside isn't quite cooperating. Darius and I had a blast baking up a storm; and I'm sure Hottie Husband and Mr.Robinson will enjoy the fruits of our labours as well!