Wisconsin Whoppers

These are high energy cookies designed for hiking, skiing and all manner of outdoor exercise. Made with lots of old-fashion oats, peanut butter, apricot bits and chocolate chips, this is a cookie for cookie lovers.  These are flourless cookies.

2/3 c. unsalted butter

1 ¼ c. light brown sugar

¾ c. granulated sugar

3 large eggs

1 ½  c. chunky-style peanut butter

6 c. old-fashioned oats

2 t. baking soda

1 ½ c. diced apricots &/or craisins

4 squares (1 oz. each) semisweet chocolate

1 package (6 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips

½ t. vanilla

Soften butter.

With a heavy-duty mixer, cream butter in a large mixing bowl until light-colored, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in brown sugar and granulated sugar; scrape down sides of bowl. Cream until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Beat in eggs, 1 minute at a time; beat 1 minute more after final addition. Add peanut butter; beat until blended, 1 minute. Add oats and baking soda, beat only until blended, about 30 minutes; set aside.

Dice apricots by hand with a sharp knife or process in bowl of food processor using the Off/Pulse button until diced in ¼ inch pieces. (If using craisins, add whole to cookies. I usually use craisins only.) Add to creamed mixture.

Cut squares of chocolate in half with a sharp knife. Process in food processor until finely chopped, about 1 minute. Blend into cookie mixture. Add chocolate chips and vanilla.

Using a ¼ c. metal measuring cup or a number-20 stainless-steel scoop, fill with cookie dough, pressing lightly into cup or scoop; tap edge of cup to release dough onto lightly –greased baking sheets. Flatten cookies to 3 inches in a diameter with bottom of a glass tumbler that is dipped frequently in water. Place cookies 2 inches apart.  Bake at 350 degrees about 15 minutes.  Remove to cool on wire rack.

Makes about 24 cookies

This recipe came from “The Sunday Cook” by Grace Howaniec, @1993 Amherst Press, Amherst,  WI. I first made these in 1997. Then I started to make them for the basketball team. Out of all the players, Ryanne loved them the most.