Tri-Athlete Chocolate Chunk Cookies (for everyone- even if you're not an athlete)

I got this recipe from a couple on the east coast who own a bakery/bike shop...I know! What a great combo, huh?! I made a few changes to their recipe to make them just a bit more healthy. This way, you don't have to feel guilty for eating them if you aren't into running 9 miles or biking 20...you get the idea.

TRI-ATHLETE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES (for everyone)

2 sticks unsalted butter
1/2 C honey + 1/4 C 100% maple syrup + 5 Tbs table sugar
1/4 C + 2 Tbs brown sugar
2 eggs
1/3 C unsulphured molasses
2 tsp almond or vanilla extract

Mix the above ingredients together--but don't cream too much.

In a separate bowl mix:
4 1/4 C flour (I use 2 C Trader Joe's Multi-Grain Baking and Pancake Mix + 2 1/2 regular flour)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1C dark chocolate chunks (buy 1 bar of good dark chocolate and cut it into pieces)
1/2 C of your favorite nuts (walnuts, pecans, sliced almonds)
1/2 C of your favorite dried fruit (cherries, blueberries, cranberries, etc.)
(Optional: add a dash of your favorite spice like Cinnamon or Allspice to give them a more holidayish flavor.)

Add the dry ingredients to the wet. Mix slowly.

Now...what makes these cookies so fantastic is their size! Each ball of dough you place on the cookie sheet should be about the size of your fist...yes...I'm talkin' big!

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. The are done when the bottom of the cookie is a dark, golden brown (check by lifting up an edge with a spatula).

This is the kind of treat you dream about when you're craving a cookie! A glass with an extra wide rim will be needed if you plan on dunking! Enjoy.


GUILT-FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL COOKIES

3/4 C rolled oats
1 C whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 C soft unsalted butter
1/4 C canola oil
1/3 C sugar (or honey or agave nectar)
1/3 C brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 C dark chocolate chips or dried cranberries

Combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl combine the wet ingredients (remember sugar is considered a wet ingredient). Then, add the the dry ingredients to the wet. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes.


PUMPKIN COOKIES WITH MAPLE FROSTING (Sooooo good!)

1 C Crisco shortening
1 C sugar
1 egg
1 C pumpkin (one small can is 1 cup)
1 tsp vanilla
2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin spice (or cinnamon or all spice)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Maple Frosting:

In a saucepan combine:
1/2 C brown sugar
3 tsp butter
3 tsp milk

Bring it to a boil for 2 minutes, then turn off heat and add:
1 tsp maple (or vanilla) extract
1 C sifted powdered sugar

Drizzle over cool cookies.