I’m on a restricted diet right now for some fertility treatments. I can’t have several things, but the one that is killing me the most is not being able to have chocolate! I never realized just how much chocolate I eat until this past month… apparently every dessert I love has chocolate in it! Chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake, chocolate cheesecake, brownies, sundaes… *sigh* So I’m having to get a little more creative in my dessert options (because let’s face it, I have NO willpower against sweets, so giving up sugar is not an option).
Saturday, one of my best friends came over to watch the season premiere of Doctor Who with me. (Yes, we’re nerds.) I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what I could make for snacks that I could actually eat, because typically, whenever any part of our group of girls gets together, there is some chocolate involved. Of course, I could make healthier snacks: popcorn, apple slices, etc. Then I finally remembered a cookie my mom and I used to make when I was younger…
Gold Nugget cookies!
I like to think that the healthier parts of this cookie negate the sugary parts… right?? Yeah, let’s go with that. So, while they may not look all that appetizing, they’re scrumptious!
Gold Nugget Cookies
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
3 cups peanut butter
6 cups uncrushed cornflakes (Use the cheap brand – they actually stay more crunchy than name brand flakes)
1/2 tsp to 1 tsp coconut extract (depending on your tastes – I don’t like coconut, but this makes a huge difference in the taste and takes it up a notch)
Directions:
1. In a large pan (think Dutch oven size) on low heat, mix the white sugar and corn syrup. Cook until small bubbles start to form and quickly reform when stirred (a rolling boil).
2. Remove from heat and immediately add peanut butter and extract. Stir until melted.
3. Stir in corn flakes until well coated. (FYI, this doesn’t look like much, but I was only making half a batch – the recipe above is for a full batch.)
4. Lay out paper towels covered by wax paper. Spoon the mix onto the wax paper into “drop” cookies. (I like to use a cookie scoop to make it easier and less messy!)
5. Leave until cooled. Then enjoy!
Yay for having a dessert I can enjoy! And maybe I’ll have one for breakfast in the morning… hey, it’s got peanut butter and cornflakes! 😉
FrankenStan 