This Cranberry Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies recipe that I’m sharing is in loving memory of my dad. I hope that the recipe and the story behind it fill your heart with happiness.
I’ve been in quiet expectation of this, but I honestly never thought that the day would actually arrive.
No, I’m not referring to the day when my boobs will droop to belly button level. That is not an anticipated date. I’m talking about memories of my dad’s death, or rather, my lack of mourning it.
I was 15 years old when my daddy died. He was just 48 years young. Technically, he died on July 5th, but the time of death was 3:14 a.m. on that rainy Thursday morning in July of 1979. Since my last moments with him were spent watching a beautiful fireworks display, my mind has always associated Daddy’s death with the 4th of July.
Thirty four years of firework displays have come and gone since that day, and thirty-three of them occurred with my shedding a boat load of tears, heaving cries towards Heaven, pleading with God to bring my dad back home…even if only for one moment so that I’m able to utter a proper goodbye and to say “I love you so much, Daddy”.
This year has been different, though. I haven’t shed any tears. I went to bed last night without the annual forlorn and dread of today. Could it be possible that my broken heart has finally been healed?
Thanks to my God, I do believe so… proving that time truly does heal all wounds. For the record, I still miss him like crazy. That’s something that no amount of time will ever change, because little girls who love their daddy become grown women who love their daddy.
It’s strange that I don’t remember too many of my dad’s favorite foods. Being the big guy that he was, he enjoyed eating in general. However, I do remember his thirst for a dry martini with 2 green olives, his passion for pickled herring in sour cream sauce atop pumpernickel cocktail bread, and his love for oatmeal raisin cookies for breakfast.
Two oatmeal cookies would sit silently and patiently on his plate, next to the over easy, butter soaked eggs and crispy bacon. Once the main dish was devoured, Daddy would take a cookie and dredge it through the runny egg yolk on his plate.
I suspect it was nothing more than a method of transporting the liquid love from the plate to his palate.
The second cookie, however, was worthy of some devoted attention. He used to dunk a bit of it into his black coffee before allowing it to dissolve on his tongue. He cherished that cookie as if it were his secret lover. I’m convinced that there must a food love gene, because I share that sort of mega love for foods like homemade macaroni and cheese, bacon, and salted caramel.
In loving memory of my dad, I’ve recreated his favorite oatmeal cookies, but I put a healthy spin on the recipe and made some additions to assure that they are really are worthy of being a true breakfast cookie. They’re absolutely perfect if you’re looking for something nutritious that you can eat as you dash out the door and I can also testify that they are quite dunkably delicious into a cup of coffee or milk.
I hope you love these breakfast cookies!
If you love healthier recipe options like this one, be sure to follow my Healthy Recipes for Everyone Pinterest board!
Healthy Cranberry Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Chewy breakfast cookies loaded with heart healthy oatmeal, flax seed, and antioxidant filled cranberries
Ingredients
- 6 ounces (1 1/4 cups) Bob's Red Mill Low-Carb Baking Mix (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 packets Nectresse sugar substitute
- 1/4 unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup packed Splenda Brown Sugar blend (or 1 cup light brown sugar)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2 1/2 cups rolled old-fashioned oats (not instant or quick cooking)
- 1 Tablespoon golden flax seeds
- 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries or raisins
Directions
- Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in small bowl; set aside.
- In large mixing bowl with a hand or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat butter, granulated sugar substitute, and brown sugar on medium speed until creamy. Mix in egg, vanilla extract, and applesauce until combined.
- Turn speed to low and gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats, flax seeds, and cranberries by hand with a wooden spoon.
- Use a 2-tablespoon size cookie scoop to drop dough about 1-inch apart on parchment lined cookie sheets.
- Bake for 8-9 minutes or until tops are set and golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Thank you so much for visiting me today!
If you make this recipe, I'd love it if you'd share a photo and/or give your feedback over on my Facebook page, Cooking with Chef Bec!
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18 Replies to "Cranberry Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies"
Erica October 9, 2016 (8:37 am)
Your story really hit home for me. My daddy passed at the age of 45, I was 23, but my younger sisters were only 10. Also he left around 2 am on July 5th. I had spent part of the day on the 4th with him but that night my husband and i took our daughter to a local carnival. we haven’t been back to that carnival since. I do know that with God’s help time heals all wounds. It wasn’t chance that when I searched for a breakfast cookie recipe yours popped up. thank you so much for your story and I will certainly be making these for my girls!
Becca October 9, 2016 (9:06 am)
Erica, thank you so much for sharing your story with me. Of course, it gave me the chills to know that God certainly played a part in bringing you to my cranberry oatmeal breakfast cookies recipe! I hope that you and your girls enjoy them!
Boo's BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe ~ Its Yummi August 4, 2015 (1:26 pm)
[…] must be made as to which his favorite is, he’ll tell you that it’s a tie between my oatmeal raisin cookies (which are nothing more than the recipe straight from the lid of the Quaker Oats box!) and these […]
Kelsey March 25, 2015 (4:48 pm)
its such a great trend to have cookies for breakfast and you’ve made these so well! they look superb!
Chef Becca March 26, 2015 (7:35 am)
Thanks so much, Kelsey. Any opportunity for cookies is a good one 😉
Dan from Platter Talk September 20, 2014 (2:47 pm)
What a lovely post and great looking recipe; I can see why these were your father’s favorite cookies!
Chef Becca September 20, 2014 (2:53 pm)
Thank you so much, Dan. I love recipes that invoke happy memories like these cookies did.
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[…] blogged about my love for the 4th of July in a previous post, and I think I mentioned what a sentimental holiday the 4th of July is for me. If you read my blog […]
Rebecca Walker July 9, 2013 (5:51 pm)
Beautifully written. And I know your Dad is happier with this lovely remembrance than he was with all your tears. I still have my Dad, and he much prefers eating my cookies to seeing me cry. And his favorite is Oatmeal Raisin, too! Can’t wait to make yours for him.
Becca Heflin July 9, 2013 (6:00 pm)
Well said, Sweetie. Thanks so much for the support. I hope your dad enjoys these cookies!
pam shepard July 7, 2013 (2:32 pm)
I love the comments about your dad. I lost my father in 2001. I am def gonna make these cookies, my husband even said they sound good. Luv ya lots girl!
Becca Heflin July 7, 2013 (4:02 pm)
Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I hope you enjoy the cookies!
Sara July 5, 2013 (9:36 am)
Oh my sweet friend! I lost my Daddy many years ago too. I wasn’t as young as you were, but I understand the decades of missing him. I love that you are putting a healthy spin on those cookies too. You’re awesome! xoxo
Becca Heflin July 5, 2013 (12:30 pm)
Thank you for stopping by, m’love <3
Bridget Oland July 5, 2013 (8:03 am)
Thanks for a beautiful post. It touched a chord with me since today is the anniversary of my dad’s death (7 years). Always a reflective day. Now I’m thinking about some if my dad’s favourite foods…
Becca Heflin July 5, 2013 (12:24 pm)
Thank you so much for your comment. I’m very sorry to hear about the death of your dad. I hope that your heart will heal with every good memory that comes to your mind 🙂
Karen @BakingInATornado July 4, 2013 (4:00 pm)
Cookies for breakfast. My kids will think I lost my mind (I did, but back when they hit their teens).
I love your story about your Dad. You lost him too soon, no doubt about it, but changing it either. I’m so glad you’re making your peace with it.
Happy Independence Day.
Becca Heflin July 4, 2013 (5:31 pm)
I’m all about finding ways to make inappropriate food completely appropriate. Geez, of COURSE these are acceptable for breakfast… there’s oatmeal in there!