More often than not if I want something to eat I need to make it myself. I guess that's why I enjoy a sit down restaurant so much... no food prep, no serving and especially no clean up. Therefore, when someone takes the time to make something special for me I have true appreciation.
Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend a San Diego Food Blogger get together and while the food at the meeting was most definitely a cut above, the plate of warm Spelt Chocolate Chip Cookies that awaited my arrival home was even more special. Liv not only used a recipe that I had set aside, but she made the entire batch herself... assembling ingredients (and she even put them away!), mixing, shaping, and baking. Placed on one of the plates used for my blog photo shoots all I had to do was pick up the camera and shoot away before settling down to a nice cup of coffee and a few cookies together.
Spelt flour is my new "go to" grain since reading King Arthur's Whole Grain Baking book
(one of my favorites). An ancient grain with a slightly nutty flavor, spelt is an excellent source of vitamin B2, a very good source of manganse, and a good source of niacin, thiamin, and copper. According to the Whole Foods website, the particular combination of nutrients provided by spelt may make it a particularly helpful food for persons with migraine headache, atherosclerosis, or diabetes. A distant cousin to wheat, spelt flour sometimes doesn't seem to cause sensitivities in people who are intolerant of wheat. I find spelt in my local health food stores and also at King Arthur Flour.
(one of my favorites). An ancient grain with a slightly nutty flavor, spelt is an excellent source of vitamin B2, a very good source of manganse, and a good source of niacin, thiamin, and copper. According to the Whole Foods website, the particular combination of nutrients provided by spelt may make it a particularly helpful food for persons with migraine headache, atherosclerosis, or diabetes. A distant cousin to wheat, spelt flour sometimes doesn't seem to cause sensitivities in people who are intolerant of wheat. I find spelt in my local health food stores and also at King Arthur Flour. |
| Note the missing cookie dough! |
Chewy, yet with a nice firmness, Spelt Chocolate Chip Cookies have become my new favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie. My son, a fairly discriminating chocolate chip cookie eater, stealthily obtained a few handfuls of the cookies and has since proclaimed them "awesome", while Liv has deemed the dough "almost better than the cookie itself".
Personally, I love the slight nutty flavor of the spelt, and have been able to talk myself into believing that filled with my favorite ancient grain these little guys are "good for me" as I reach for thirds. Coming home to a fresh plate of cookies made especially for me though, is by far the best thing about them. Thanks, Liv!
adapted from Arrowhead Mills (back of the Spelt Flour Package)
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup Turbinado Sugar (Raw Sugar)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup spelt flour
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips (or a little more!)
Preheat oven to 350º. In a large mixing bowl beat the butter with the sugar, egg and vanilla. Blend in the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir well. Fold in the chocolate chips. Drop onto an oiled baking sheet by teaspoonfuls and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until done.
Oh Liv, you rock. What a great way to treat your mom (even though you DID use chocolate).
ReplyDeleteKim, you're making me re-think spelt. Honestly, the only reason I haven't is because the name reminds me of smelt, which isn't a favorite fish and who wants fish in baking anyhow. Name association can play havoc in the kitchen. I'll try to look past that and just find its nutty goodness though. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I have never baked with spelt flour but I can see that I need to change my ways. I usually bake something each Friday to send with Mark for his tri training group to enjoy after their hard workout, and I try to make it somewhat healthy. This should suit very nicely.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Liv is as talented in the kitchen as she is on the stage dancing :)! These look wonderful...and the spelt is nice, healthy addition.
ReplyDeleteLiv is indeed talented to be able to bake such great looking cookies! Now I am wishing I have a daughter to do that for me too! lol!
ReplyDeleteWatch out Kim, before you know it, Liv will be taking over your kitchen! I haven't tried spelt yet, but I am a fan of that "nutty flavor" so I am destined to try it, thanks for reminding me about it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice treat for you! Isn't it nice when your kids are such great cooks in the kitchen. I am always on the hunt for a newer, better chocolate chip cookie. I will have to try these next!
ReplyDeleteHow cool to have Liv following in your foot steps! These cookies look chewy and delicious!
ReplyDeleteHer cookies look beautiful! Tell Liv she did a wonderful job with them! Thank you for the info on spelt flour! I've heard of it but never really knew much about it! I've had the worst migraines since I was 11 so its nice to know eating some homemade cookies may alleviate them! I will def give these a try and start experimenting with spelt flour! Thanks Kim!
ReplyDeleteAw, how sweet! I think I need a daughter like Liv. Around here, I have to bake it if I want to eat it, LOL!
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since I bought spelt--it was an experimentation period but I clearly remember not making anything as good as this. Maybe I should revisit the idea with the flour. I agree, Kim, these are good for you. :-)
I have had so much fun baking with spelt lately. Those cookies look wonderful. How nice to have such a sweetie for a daughter!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is a sweetie! Tell her the cookies look delish! I have to look into spelt flour, that book sounds like a great resource too. Going to have to look for it next time im at the bookstore.
ReplyDeleteas much as I love baking I do enjoy when someone bakes me some goodies. makes me feel pretty special.
ReplyDeletethe cookies sound great, I have used spelt just in breads, never thought of using it in desserts too. Thanks for the idea and sharing this amazing recipe.
Awwww how sweet! Liv did an awesome job baking these delicious looking cookies! I've seen the baking sheet in a kitchen store. Do you recommend to use it instead of parchment paper? I've seen in some bloggers too... I'm just curious what the differences are...
ReplyDeleteI've never baked with spelt flour but it sounds like I'd like it! Thanks for sharing:-)
ReplyDeleteYou have trained Liv well. She even set aside a plate of cookies ready for you to photograph, another Jr, foodie! I might have to try the spelt flour, as well. These cookies look amazing!
ReplyDeleteLiv once again proves she's the coolest kid ever. Can I borrow her? :)
ReplyDeleteI've never cooked with smelt before...always a bit afraid of new things. Perhaps its time to give it a go! Buzzed!
Thank you so much for introducing spelt! I haven't used it but I really want to try it out sometime. I had a girlfriend tell me about it not too long ago and I just haven't had the change to try it out. I really want to though. I think I might, Liv has inspired me! Look at Liv go! She amazes me...
ReplyDeleteSOooooo impressed as the great height you got on those cookies using spelt!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm craving me some cookies..... These look great! I sure would love to attend a foodie show some day. How fun!
ReplyDeleteI can't say that I've ever tried baking with spelt! It looks good, though! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice thing to come home to! I'm sure that was the perfect welcome. Nothing better than a plateful of chocolate chip cookies.
ReplyDeleteOh, hooray, another chocolate chip cookie recipe to try. Another spelt virgin here, but I'd love to give these a shot...and see if my picky palate family approves :) And, like Liv, I'll give the dough a thorough testing!
ReplyDeleteI love your innovative ingredient choices here! Silky spelt (such a nice grain to bake with) and the turbinado sugar... very nice! (it also looks like you are using dark chocolate chips - yum!)
ReplyDeleteI love spelt flour! I'm glad it's getting some attention these days (although I'd really love it to just go down in price, mostly...). Those cookies look good, what a great treat to come home to!
ReplyDeleteOh what a sweet girl you have!! I can't wait until Little Butt is old enough to make me a batch of cookies before I come home.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about Spelt. I was wondering what that was...sounds interesting. I'll have to try it.
Oh, these are lovely, Liv! You did a great job! Kim, I'm so right there with you about having to make things yourself. What a treat these were for your entire family! I wish someone would bake for me :-(
ReplyDeleteSubstituting coconut sugar makes these cookies even more "healthy"! Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteRossAnne... awesome idea!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this recipe :) I used all Spelt Flour (no all purpose flour) and it taste so yummy.
ReplyDeleteI have made about 4 batches so far.
Thank you for posting :)
Thank you so much for the comment!!! I had forgotten about these guys... I think they will be a nice addition to our Christmas table, I have all the ingredients on hand and will make them tomorrow again!
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