This recipe has been on The List for a long time. I meant to make it last Fourth of July, but I got distracted by the parade, fireworks, and--of course--all the hamburger eating I was doing. So, at long last, here's the Fourth of July Cookie. Happy Birthday, America!
The ingredients for this cookie are really obvious: I just needed to find red, white, and blue stuff. Cue the cherries, white chocolate, coconut (because Mumma loves it) and blueberries.
To maximize the blueberry flavor and color, I decided to use my signature no-egg process and replaced the traditional egg and vanilla wet ingredients with cooked blueberries amped up with white sugar, lemon juice, and milk. The result is a moist, flavorful, and colorful cookie. The splash of lemon juice really balances out the sweetness of the berries and brightens the flavor.
Makes 3 dozen cookies. (To see this recipe in process, check out Picturing Fourth of July Cookies.)
Creamables |
1 stick butter 1 cup light brown sugar |
Wet Ingredients |
1 1/4 cups halved fresh blueberries 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon white sugar 1 tablespoon milk |
Dry Ingredients |
3 cups oatmeal 1 1/2 cups coconut 1 1/2 cups flour 1 cup white chocolate chips 1 cup dried cherries 1/2 cup halved fresh blueberries 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh cherries 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt |
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In a small saucepan, heat blueberries, milk, lemon juice, and white sugar over medium high heat. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula, crushing the blueberries until the the mixture is smooth and evenly purple.
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Remove blueberry mixture from the heat and set aside to cool until Step 4.
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In your Kitchen Aid or a large mixing bowl, cream together the creamables.
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Add the combined wet ingredients to the creamables. Mix together until well incorporated.
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In a large mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, fold together until evenly distributed.
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Slowly add the dry ingredients to the combined creamables and wet ingredients. Mix until evenly combined.
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up a little.
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Shape dough into balls--about 2 tablespoons each.
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Place dough balls about 2 inches apart on Silpat- or parchment paper-lined cookie sheets.
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Bake at 350º for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let stand for 2 minutes. Then place cookies on wire racks to cool.
Love your creative "cookie burger" on the grill for the 4th! I'll bet it tastes as yummie as it looks.
Posted by: Lorraine | July 04, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Thanks, Lorraine. I hope you have a great 4th! :-)
Posted by: Oatmeal Cookie Guy | July 04, 2009 at 05:58 PM
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, I NEED some of these!!!!!
Posted by: Anne Nichols | July 04, 2009 at 07:43 PM
Hi, Auntie. You'll have to strike a deal with Mumma. :-)
Posted by: Oatmeal Cookie Guy | July 04, 2009 at 07:52 PM
Sorry.....I'm eating them ALL! These are OH, SO GOOD!! The flavors are like a fireworks explosion for your taste buds! I just love it when you come home and fill up the cookie jar!!
Posted by: Mumma | July 05, 2009 at 03:06 PM
Hi, this week on my site Collectors' Quest I am featuring cookie jar collectors! One collector shows off the result of over 20 years of collecting. Who knew storing cookies could be so fun.Check it out: http://www.collectorsquest.com/featured-week/Cookie+Jars.html
Posted by: jenn | July 06, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Hey, Jenn. That's pretty cool. :-)
Posted by: Oatmeal Cookie Guy | July 07, 2009 at 01:32 PM
After seeing the pictures of the process of making them, I had a dream that I made these cookies. I was disappointed when I woke up and there were none actually made! Darn.
Posted by: Em | July 09, 2009 at 05:21 PM
Hey, Em. I found an analysis of your dream:
http://oatmealcookie.typepad.com/the_oatmeal_cookie_blog/2009/07/sweet-dreams-are-made-ofcookies.html
Check it out!
Posted by: Oatmeal Cookie Guy | July 14, 2009 at 02:22 PM