Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies, cookies, cookies. Anyone else been feeling the cookies lately? Well, I don't know about you, but I sure have. I've pretty much professed my love for all things cookies several times by now. They're portable, dunkable, long-lasting (not that they ever last long) and eat-two-able (small = can eat more, right? And I know you like the new word choice!).

Aside: I'm back in Cambridge for my final Lent Term and so many feels right now. These past three and a bit years have just flown by. I mean it. I'll treasure these years forever and am so very grateful to be here. I'm going to take my final six months by storm. Work hard, play hard is my motto. There's obviously lots of tough academic work to be done (and it will be done), but I want to make sure I make the most of the city and this incredible place. 

Okay seriously, who doesn't love a good cookie? Cookies keep me sane. Especially when I'm cracking through a research paper or problem set.

These are a modified version of my almond-y oat chocolate chip cookies. The main difference is that these are a blend of oat flour and regular flour, resulting in a lighter, softer cookie. The other ones are crunchy and almost reminiscent of biscotti. It really depends on what you're looking for.

These were made on request of the sister, who wanted a softer cookie, and these definitely were just that. Perfectly crisp exterior but crumbly and soft on the inside. Yes, it is possible to be both soft(ish) and crumbly at the same time. Trust me. 

Actually, as far as chocolate chip cookies go, these are just about as classic as you'll find on my blog. There's no banana, walnuts, almond, coconut or peanut butter. Just chocolate chips. The oat flour lends a wonderful texture and ups the health. I am a coconut oil fiend, so obviously, coconut oil features instead of butter. There's just the right amount of sugar to make these taste like your favorite treat.

Real talk for a minute. No, I don't think coconut oil has miracle superpowers or is any healthier than grass-fed butter, olive oil, avocado oil or the like. What I do know is I have grown up with it, it works for me and I personally love the subtle sweet coconut aroma. So if something else is your jam, please, I urge you to go with what works for you.

This cookies are delicious, easy and a real crowd-pleaser. Double, triple or quadruple the recipe for a bigger batch of cookies.

Ingredients
Makes 12 cookies
1 cup oat flour*
3/4 cup plain flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
5 tbsp unrefined sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 tbsp coconut oil, melted**
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

*Don't bother buying this in store (generally more expensive!). Just take regular rolled oats and whizz them in a blender or food processor until you get a rough flour. There's no need to aim for a perfectly fine powder here. Store any remaining ground oat flour in an airtight jar for future use. 

**I've tried doing 2 tbsp natural almond butter and 2 tbsp coconut and this works wonderfully too. It will results in an ever-so-slightly fudgier cookie. But truly just ever-so-slightly.

Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oat flour, plain flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, egg, sugar and vanilla.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Set the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.

Heat the oven to 175°C. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Scoop the dough into equal sized balls and flatten slightly before placing them on the lined cookie sheet. Keep a bit of space between cookies to allow for spreading. 

Bake for 12 minutes or until slightly golden brown on the inside and just firm to touch. For a crispier cookie, bake for 15 minutes. For a more soft-bake texture, bake for 9-10 minutes.

Let the cookies cool on the sheet for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool complete.

Best eaten when just baked so the chocolate chips and melty and perfect. But anytime will be scrumptious! 

Enjoy!