Chocolate Chip "Dried Plum" Cookies

Chocolate Chip Dried Plum Cookies

If you saw my post on "low-fat" Cream Cheese Brownies, you might remember that I was inspired to make the brownies after reading a Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe that was given to me by Dolores, the wife of Eprof2. You may also remember that I vowed to change the reputation of the Prune by calling them Dried Plums from that point forward. So if you are reading this Dolores, I hope you don't mind that I changed the name of the recipe. It's for the best.

Anyway, while I was making the dried plum puree for the brownies, I decide to double it so I could make the cookie recipe as well. And I'm so glad I did! I can see why they are Eprof2's favorite cookie. I could'nt believe the result. They were irresistible. I literally ate one after another as they cooled on the rack. I made only a few minor changes to the recipe. Here it is:

Chocolate Chip Dried Plum Cookies

1/2 cup dried plum puree (recipe below)
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons butter, softened
2 cups flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour (It just made me feel better to add some whole grain)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar (I only used 1/2 cup)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups (9 oz) semisweet choc. pieces (I used semi-sweet chocolate chunks)

Dried plum puree: Combine 2/3 cup of dried plums (about 12 pieces) with 3 tablespoons hot water in a food processor. Pulse on and off until dried plums are finely chopped and mixture is smooth. Makes about 1/2 cup.

Preheat oven to 375. Coat baking sheets with vegetable cooking spray; set aside. In a large bowl beat dried plum puree, butter sugars, eggs and vanilla to blend thoroughly. In small bowl mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir dry ingredients into dried plum mixture; mix completely. Stir in chololate pieces. Drop tablespoons (I used a cookie scoop which is larger) onto prepared baking sheets; flatten slightly. Bake about ten minutes (I did some at 9 minutes and they were soft and chewy) until lightly browned around the edges. Remove to racks to cool completely. Makes about 48 cookies.

The texture of these cookies are not like traditional chocolate chip cookies. They do not get crisp if you bake them longer, only dry on the inside. They are not as cakey as cookies made with applesauce, but more of a soft and chewy texture.

I loved them and plan on making them again and again. I froze a bunch of them because I could'nt keep them around me or I would have eaten them all!

What is your favorite cookie?