Tuesdays with Dorie: Granola Grabbers

Ring the school bell and get to class. It's time to learn how to bake everything from A to Z for Tuesdays with Dorie. Matriculate yourself, buy the textbook, and bake along. Even though they are home schooled, my two little charges still appreciate the novelty of a "packed" lunch. Maybe it helps with the distinction between school days and weekend days, or maybe there is something inherently pleasant and mysterious about brown bagged food. Packed lunches scream back to school as loudly as freshly sharpened yellow pencils and pleated plaid skirts. Here's a shot from our first official day of school. Notice that I have one child that insists on wearing a crisp uniform to home school, and another child that feels compelled to wear his Peter Pan costume. This amuses me greatly because I'd prefer to do home school in my pajamas. And I'm supposed to be the teacher.

No matter how you're dressed or where you're going, you'll want one of these crunchy chocolaty cookies in your lunch bag. Granola forms the base of these hearty treats, so I used my homemade version full of brown sugar, oats, and pecans. (Scroll down for the recipe.) I also made two batches of the Granola Grabber cookies. After the first batch, which we loved, I thought they might be a touch better with the addition of some baking soda to spread the dough. Dorie's version is sans leavening, and the cookies bake like little mounds, even when pressed down a bit. The baking soda spread the dough perfectly, resulting in a crackly and chewy cookie, and one I'll be making again very soon. Pack some in a brown bag with a napkin note and you'll rule the school. Even if it's home school.

Be forewarned: it's an irresistible cookie dough. If my brother Jack were around, I'd have to hide the bowl or we'd never bake any cookies at all. (If you'll come visit me, Jack, I'll make you a whole bowl of cookie dough. Just for you. )

Version Number one without baking soda. Delicious, but a little too mounded for my preference. Version Number Two, looking very scholastic...Hearty, crackly, chewy, crunchy and devoured quicker than you can say ABC. For the real recipe, click here. For my version, read on.

Money Saving Tips: Use homemade granola here and save yourself a bundle. (Try my version, or use your favorite recipe.) Stock up on butter when it goes on sale. Home baked cookies are cheaper and better for you than store bought, so you're already ahead of the game.

Chocolate Chip, Brown Sugar and Pecan Granola Grabbers

Estimated Cost: $3.00 for 2 dozen

Notes: I went the distance and made these with all whole wheat and whole grain. Kind of makes you feel better about the butter and chocolate. Kind of.

8 tablespoons butter, softened

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 and 1/2 cups flour (I used whole wheat)

1 and 1/2 cups granola

1 cup chocolate chip

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine butter and both sugars, mixing well. Add egg and vanilla. Sprinkle salt and soda over the top and mix again. Add granola, chips, and nuts. Shape into generous tablespoon sized balls and place on cookie sheets, leaving space for expansion. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges look browned and the tops are barely firm. Let cool for two minutes and transfer to racks.

Coming Tomorrow:

Reader Request:

Cowboy Shepherd's Pie with Summer Vegetables and Cheddar Potatoes