Coconut Oil Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

It is cookie season in my household, in the fall I switch from banana bread recipe to cookies. It's something my mother did, so it just kind of stuck with me. This week I'm making a homemade apple pie for our family thanksgiving and I'm extremely excited about it. It's my first time making a homemade fruit filled pie. If it goes well, I will be sharing the recipe and tips! Today's cookie recipe comes with a side of nutrition education for you. If you are not interested in coconut oil details, skip right on down to the recipe and enjoy! 

First things first, coconut oil isn't a super food or poison. The claims can vary depending on which online news article or endorsement you find that day. Like ALL foods, it falls somewhere in the spectrum in between. Coconut oil primarily consist of saturated fat (between 80-90%). Without getting too nerdy on you all, I'll stick to the basics of why saturated fats are viewed as negative. They have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to their ability to raise LDL (bad/harmful) cholesterol levels in our bodies. Saturated fats are solid at rom temperature as opposed to unsaturated fat that are liquid at room temp, these are found in fish, seeds, nuts, and in vegetable oils. 

My personal pro's of coconut oil, it's shelf stable which is awesome if and when I inevitably forget to purchase butter and I love the flavor. It's great on roasted sweet potatoes for a subtle coconut taste or in baked goods like this recipe. A con for coconut oil use in my book would be the saturated fat content, it's something I use periodically if I'm looking to achieve a unique taste or like I said above, if I'm missing butter. No saturated fat isn't the devil, however I limit my intake as part of my general healthful diet. 

This dietary choice should be made in the context of YOUR overall dietary patterns within recommended limits for saturated fat intake levels. Not what some diet-pushing insta-influencer says or the lady down the street selling magic coconut keto bars that she swears melt the fat right off of your body. 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup melted coconut oil

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract 

1 egg (room temp)

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup all purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped chocolate candy pieces of choice (I used Mallow Cups) or just add 1 cup of total of chocolate chips if you don't wish to

Sea salt for sprinkling on top

How to:

In a large bowl combine melted coconut oil, brown sugar, sugar, and vanilla. Beat until smooth, then add egg and combine. 

In a small bowl whisk together oats, flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add dry mix ingredients to wet ingredients in large bowl until combined. Fold in chocolate chips and chocolate candy pieces of choice. 

Roll 2 tbsp cookie dough into balls and place on plate, once all the dough is rolled into smooth balls place in the refrigerator for 45 mins to an hour. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or baking mats. Place 12 cookies on sheet evenly spaced and bake for 10- 12 mins or until just golden brown on edges, light brown on top. Remove from oven and allow to rest on pan for 2 mins before removing to cooling racks.