It’s a slow slow week we’re living, these days after Christmas and before New Year’s Day… but what’s on your brain?
Are you ready to say goodbye to 2011? Are you ready to shake it out?
2011 was a beautiful year… but I’m ready to shake it out so I can put some beauty in 2012.
These days between Christmas and New Years feel so still and quiet… and yet very contemplative and heavy with potential.
I’m not talking about the potential of… I dunno, losing weight and eating better and drinking more water… and all that important nonsense.
I’m talking about the potential of it all. Another year behind us and another chance in front of us.
What are we going to do with it? Now is the time to think.
Now is the time to think and eat cookies.
Let’s get into imagining our future selves! This is it!
Aaaahh oatmeal cookies. So much potential. It feels like all you need is brown sugar, cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg.
Such a simple treat.
Oh… you also need oatmeal. Duh.
I love to use old-fashioned oats because they’re big and hearty.
We’re also going to add two kinds of chocolate to the cookies. Chocolate chips and cocoa nibs. We’re talking melty chocolate and crunchy chocolate flavor.
I’d like you to meet my dear friend, Cocoa Nibs.
Cocoa nibs are coarsely ground cocoa beans. I think they taste like a mix between roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate. They’re crunchy and full of nutrients. I love cocoa nibs on top of vanilla ice cream, with yogurt and fruit, and definitely in these oatmeal cookies where they add a lovely crunch and deep chocolate flavor.
Cocoa nibs. Get into it! Seriously.
These Oatmeal Walnut Cocoa Nib Cookies are exactly what you want them to be. Expected and hearty. Totally comforting and delicious… and with a touch of something just a bit different (that’s the cocoa nib part). These cookies are exactly the way I like to approach a new year: with certain expected comforts, but full of newness and surprise… and chocolate.
We’re almost in the future!
Oh! Ps. The best, most delightful way to scoop cookies from a big heap of dough into perfectly portioned individual cookies is with a cookie scoop. I gifted myself one of these and I’m hooked.
Oatmeal Walnut Cocoa Nib Cookies
makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup cocoa nibs
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Place racks in the center and upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, add butter and sugars. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and beat in eggs. Add eggs one at a time, beating for one minute on medium speed between each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add flour mixture all at once to the butter and egg mixture. Beat on low speed until the mixture just comes together. There will still be large flour pockets… that’s ok.
Add the oats, walnuts, cocoa nibs, and chocolate chips. Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a spatula to finish incorporating the mixture by hand. Mix together until no flour bits remain, and everything is well mixed together.
Scoop dough out by the tablespoonful onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes until toasted brown on top. Remove from the oven. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cookies will last, well wrapped at room temperature, for up to 4 days. Unbaked cookie dough can also be left in the fridge for about a week, and freezer for over a month.
Katie @ Arugulovers
Cookie scoops are the greatest. Ever since I bought mine, people ask how my cookies look so perfect and professional :)
thelittleloaf
I’m in love with cocoa nibs at the moment – they’re incredible baked on top of a flourless chocolate cake as they don’t burn. Your cookies look gorgeous – definitely making some very soon!
Fred @ Savorique
Cocoa nibs always add a special texture, whether it be in a candy bar or a cookie. It’s actually rare to hear about cookies with nibs so your recipe is very welcome. Thanks for sharing.
Jess
I have been wanting to gift myself with a cookies scoop for approximately five years. Maybe that will be one of my new years resolutions.
Mariana
I agree. Contemplating the past year is so much easier with cookies. :)
I can’t wait to make these, they’ll definitely be on the top of my list of recipes I want to make in 2012. :D
Sarah
nibs make me weak at the knees.
Jayne
Hey Joy, do you know any sites that ship cacao nibs internationally? Amazon does not ship those to Asia and I’m :-(
Nico('s Tiny Kitchen)
Okay, I just bought those cacao nibs AND the cookie dough scoop from amazon … you are such a bad influence! Good thing I had a gift card. Stop linking to awesome things!
joythebaker
i just want you to have awesome things… that’s all! thank heavens for gift cards!
Bluebirds and Butterflies
Hi Joy!
New Year’s Eve is, indeed, a time of contemplation and celebration! Hope you have a wonderful New Year! I am on a mission now to find Cacao Nibs (or order them….thanks for the link!) and try this delicious looking recipe for Oatmeal cookies with a twist! Thanks for sharing the recipe on your wonderful blog! xoxo Kim
Tamara @jemofthesouth
The baker who has never made oatmeal cookies-that’s me! :-) I plan to make them next year for sure. Feeling like oatmeal in some form is in order after the amount of food I’ve eaten this week. :-) Will look into trying cocoa nibs too!
Cheers to a Happy New Year!
Karen
Beautiful and inspiring post – as always. Happy New Year Joy! All the bestest wishes for a rockin 2012!
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
Oooh, these look really delicious. I wonder if Whole Foods sells cocoa nibs? I’m far too impatient to order them online.
Have a Happy New Year!!!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
I need cacao nibs then I am set, for life.. Happy New Year, Joy :D
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
Great looking cookies! I love oatmeal cookies with whole, rolled, old-fashioned oats. The chunkier the better. Texture is key. And I bet the cocoa nibs add great texture. And I like how you said they’re full of nutrients. I’ll go with that as my hand is deep into my Navitas bag of nibs :)
Cookies…mmm, I need these!
DessertForTwo
These look so lovely! I’ve been crunching on cocoa nibs from the bag…it’s about time they made their way into a cookie!
Happy New Year, sweet lady! :)