These healthy, wholesome and deliciously moreish chewy sunflower seed cookies have been a family favourite for years. Dip in chocolate for an extra delicious treat.
These cookies are just wonderful, crisp, buttery morsels of awesomeness.
I’m unsure where the recipe originated, but it’s been in my recipe notebook for at least a decade. I believe the original recipe was adapted by myself; the addition of wheat bran and wheat germ is likely mine – I was on a bit of a health kick many years ago, and I was adding wheat bran and germ to everything, but it works. I’d like to think that these are a reasonably healthy alternative to a traditional cookie recipe, with the addition of sunflower seeds, wheat germ and bran, but you need to ignore the sugar and fat content!
Are sunflower seeds good for you?
Sunflower seeds are a rich source of linoleic acid, protein, vitamins and minerals such as zinc, an important mineral involved in the immune response and wound healing. Linoleic acid can help maintain normal blood cholesterol levels. See what I mean? Healthy. 😉
A variation for these would be to either omit the chocolate in the dough and melt it instead in a bain marie. When the cookies have cooled, you could dip half in the chocolate and allow it to cool on greaseproof paper or sandwich two cookies with the melted chocolate. Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants, and recent studies have shown that eating small quantities can benefit cardiovascular health. Healthy again, and it’s chocolate! Win!
Tip: use a silicone baking mat
Be warned, these cookies really do spread on the baking tray. I’ve started using a silicone baking mat to cook mine, which reasonably limits the spreading, resulting in a deliciously chewy biscuit. If you don’t have one of these, make sure to leave a nice big space between the cookies, and leave them on the baking tray for five minutes to cool before transferring them to a wire rack.
Recipe Difficulty Levels
Easy
Requires basic cooking skills and ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen.
Moderate
Requires more experience, preparation and/or cooking time. You may have to source special ingredients.
Challenging
Recipes requiring more advanced skills and experience and maybe some special equipment.
Sunflower Seed Cookies
Ingredients
- 115 grams butter softened
- 150 grams dark muscovado sugar
- 150 grams caster sugar
- 1 large free-range egg beaten
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 2 tsp hot water
- 150 grams sunflower seeds unsalted and shelled
- 90 grams plain flour
- 50 grams porridge oats
- 100 grams dark chocolate
- 75 grams raisins
- 15 grams wheat bran
- 35 grams wheat germ
- 1 tsp Shetland sea salt
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 C.
- Cream 115 grams butter, 150 grams dark muscovado sugar and 150 grams caster sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Dissolve 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda in 2 tsp hot water and add to the sugar mixture along with 1 large free-range egg and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Add 150 grams sunflower seeds, 90 grams plain flour, 50 grams porridge oats, 100 grams dark chocolate, 75 grams raisins, 15 grams wheat bran, 35 grams wheat germ and 1 tsp Shetland sea salt and stir with a wooden spoon until well incorporated.
- Drop by the teaspoonful on a greased or lined baking tray, leaving at least a two-inch space between them to allow for spreading.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden. Leave on the baking tray to cool for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
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These look fab, look forward to trying them !
These look and sound great – perfect for breakfast really – I am serious!
hehe, I may have has some for breakfast once or twice! 😉
THANKS for your LOVELY entry into Tea Time Treats! Those look fabulous and I LOVE the connection to flowers with the sunflower seeds!
Karen
I’m glad you like the recipe as they are such a delicious cookie!