Nico and His Birthday Cookies

Late this afternoon, Ray and I drove to Pasadena for a quick visit with the Pacheco-Beaty family. Tomorrow is grandson Nico’s fourth birthday, and though we are going on a trip together to Mexico at the end of the week to celebrate, Ray and I still wanted to give him a little gift for his birthday tomorrow.  Nico is very excited about the Incredible Hulk so Ray found a toy Hulk bank for him online. We delivered this to him as well as some oatmeal raisin cookies that I made for him this afternoon.

Nico is a young man after his Grandma’s heart because he loves all the honey-sweetened goodies that I bake. He is one of the most enthusiastic fans of my non-white sugar sweets and whenever I bake anything, he will be the first to volunteer to taste it. If the truth be told, Nico is enthusiastic about all food, but I do so appreciate that he truly enjoys my sweets. Today was no exception. I told him I had made him some cookies and his face lit up with happiness. He ate one cookie and then one minute later said, “Grandma, could I have one more, please?” Who doesn’t love that?

Here is the recipe for the cookies I made today. They are quick, easy and absolutely delicious. No one will ever know they are made with honey and maple sugar rather than white refined sugar. The bottom line is they more nutritious than sugar cookies and fill you up faster since they are richer. Not to mention, they are just plain good.

Honey and Maple-Sweetened Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (makes 3 dozen)

Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 14 mins

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup canola oil

2. 1/2 cup honey

3. 1/2 cup maple sugar

4. 1 large egg, room temperature

5. 2 tsp vanilla extract

6. 1 cup all-purpose flour

7. 2 cups old fashioned oats

8. 1/2 tsp baking soda

9. 1/2 tsp kosher salt

10. 1 tsp ground cinnamon

11. 1 cup raisins

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Place the canola oil, honey and maple sugar in the bowl of a mixer and beat for 1 minute.

3. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat for another minute on medium speed or until smooth.

4. In a separate bowl, mix to combine the flour, oats, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

5. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet and mix to incorporate.

6. Stir in the raisins then drop 1 tbsp of dough for each cookie onto a Silpat or parchment-lined baking sheet.

7. Bake for 12-14 minutes.

8. Cool and serve.

Happy birthday, little Nico. You are one of the joys of my life.

Nico with his Uncle Ron back in the summer.