Even though I am not the world’s greatest baker, I still get delighted when I have the chance to bake for my friends. I have always been enthusiastic about dessert recipes that call for oats and especially chocolate. So when I discovered a recipe for triple chocolate chunk oatmeal cookies, my interest was peaked and Friday night I was in the kitchen baking. I wanted to alter the recipe just slightly, so I cut about half the fat and replaced it with applesauce and also relaced 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips with craisins. The reason I chose applesauce as my fat substitute is because I have experimented in college with adding applesauce to replace the fat in oatmeal cookies and it seems to work out well. The major difference is that the texture is typically more chewy and can fall apart easily if you are not careful.
The batter was very chocolaty and reminded me more of chocolate fudge than a cookie batter. It tasted amazing though, no trace of apple flavor, so sampling is a must!! (I know salmonella…but I never have the willpower to resist!) I used a tablespoon for measure so that I could accurately calculate calorie and fat content. A tablespoon ended up making the perfect size cookie though! If you want to make a cookie that has a denser texture, try forming the dough into tablespoon-sized little balls and then place on the baking sheet. I found the cookies held up better this way and they had more bite to them.
These were slightly difficult to get off the cookie pan. I did not use any cooking spray but I don’t think it would have helped. You just have to let them sit on the baking sheet for at least 2-3 minutes and allow time to set and cool before going on a wire rack to finish cooling. Just be very careful and have patience. They will not come apart if you are gentle. 
I brought these to my friends yesterday and everyone seemed to enjoy them because I only left with 3 little cookies in my container. These are definitely for the chocolate lover and are the perfect way to satisfy your chocolate craving for the Valentine’s Day season. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!
Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Craisin Cookies
Adapted recipe from Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies from Confections of a Serial Baker Blog
Makes 2 1/2 dozen, 1 T each
5 T softened butter
3 T applesauce, unsweetened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup craisins
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup milk chocolate chunks
Directions
1. Preheat 350 degrees
2. Beat the butter and sugars until creamy, add in applesauce, beat until smooth
3. Add egg and vanilla, beat well.
4. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in separate bowl and gradually add to butter mixture, mix well.
5. Stir in oats, craisins, and chocolate chips until well incorporated
6. Bake 12 minutes, cool on pan ~1-3 minutes, remove and place on wire rack to finish cooling.
Nutrition Profile 1 cookie (1 T each): 76 calories, 3.1g fat (1.8g sat., 0.3g poly, 1.0g mono), 14g carbohydrate, 1.2g fiber, 2.2g sugar, 1.2 g protein
so glad you enjoyed them!