WW – Gourmet Dates

Crunchy Oatmeal Cookies

I like my cookies chewy, but when I tasted a crunchy oatmeal cookie, I loved it instantly!  I got the recipe from Recipezaar.

Here’s what you will need:

• 3/4 cup soft unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 cups uncooked oats
• 1 cup sifted flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1)  Beat butter, sugar, egg, water and vanilla together until creamy.

2)  Sift together flour, salt and baking soda.

3)  Add to creamed mixture and blend well.

4)  Stir in oats, walnuts and raisins.

5)  Put in fridge and chill overnight.

6)  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

7)  Drop by teaspoonfuls on greased cookie sheet.

8)  Bake for 10-12 minutes.

9)  Cool and store in plastic bag in freezer.

10)  Eat straight from freezer.

WW – Fudgy Brownies

Spicy Brownies

The combination of chipotle and rich chocolate may seem like an unusual match, but the combo was found to be slimming.  Plus, it builds up immunity and aids in fighting fatigue.  The capsaicin, a compound found in chipotle, jump-starts metabolism by raising the body temperature, and decreases appetite.  So have your cake and eat it too… without the guilt!

For the spicy brownies, you will need:

• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup flour
• 3/4 and 1/4 teaspoons ground chipotle chile pepper, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
• 1 package 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar

1)  Heat oven to 350°F.  In bowl, blend 1 3/4 cups sugar; 3/4 cup flour; 3/4 teaspoon ground chipotle and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

2)  In bowl set over saucepan with simmering water, combine 1 cup butter and unsweetened chocolate.  Stir 5 minutes, or until smooth.  Stir chocolate mixture into flour mixture.  Add 4 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Pour batter into 8″x8″ pan.  Bake 45 minutes.  Let cool on wire rack.

3)  In bowl, beat together softened cream cheese; 1 cup confectioner’s sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle.  Frost brownies with cream cheese frosting.  Cut into squares.

Yields 8 servings.

Prep time:  10 minutes  Total time:  55 minutes, plus cooling time

WW – Strawberry Cheesecake