This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Avocados from Mexico for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
I don’t know about you but I’m always looking for ways to make baked goods healthier. Until I’d heard of the Avocados from Mexico’s Better Baking Sweepstakes, I’m not sure I was aware that avocados could be used in place of oil or butter for baked goods. I’ve used applesauce many times, but with all of the heart healthy benefits of avocado, I’m definitely going to try using some when we bake some brownies this week.
For folks who like to “hide” vegetables in their family’s foods, here’s another way to add that beneficial fat!
It’s early December, and for many of us, that means we’ll be baking all kinds of goodies over the next few weeks. Why not try swapping out butter or oil in one recipe for avocados this season? It’s totally worth a try, right? I made a batch of Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies this weekend and I used some avocado in them.
I didn’t notice a difference from when we normally make these cookies. The kids definitely didn’t. They were so excited to have cookies and help make them that they gobbled them up!
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup softened butter (we did 1/2 c avocado puree)
1/2 cup crisco
2 eggs (cold)
2 cups quaker quick oats
1 cup (6 oz) semi sweet chocolate chips
Preheat Oven to 360 degrees. In a large mixer bowl cream the butter, crisco and sugars. Add the remaining ingredients except for rolled oats and chocolate chips. Stir well with wooden spoon to combine (do not use an electric mixer, you won’t get the right consistency). Add the oats in two additions. Mixing well after each addition. Add chocolate chips and stir to combine.
Shape dough into balls and place on parchment lined baking sheets. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly browned on the edges. Keep extra dough refrigerated while cookies are baking. Cookies will last 2-3 days in a sealed tuppeware container.
Avocados from Mexico is running a Better Baking with Avocados From Mexico sweepstakes! Entries are accepted through December 31, 2012. Who doesn’t love a good contest!? Just visit the Avocados From Mexico Facebook page and enter there for a chance to win one of over 500 prizes! Prize details below:
(1) Grand Prize – $2,500 iCard Gift Card
(10) Second Prizes – $100 iCard Gift Card
(500) Third Prizes – $25 iCard Gift Card
lisa says
I’ve never tried or cooked with avocado. I guess it’s kind of bland and picks up other flavors?
lisa says
Whenever there is a contest with comments to be made I look at the recipes. Who needs a cookbook?
lisa says
I never would have thought to use avocado in baked goods.Interesting.It’s worth trying.Thanks!
Daraya says
I heard of using avacodo in recipes – glad to know it works! 😉
Dawn says
I love avocados! Thanks for the recipe!
Dawn
Heather ~ Acting Balanced Mom says
I hadn’t heard that about avocado… I’ve used apple sauce and flax seed in place of butter and oil with good results… I will definitely have to try avocado.
Angela says
Wow! I didn’t know you could bake with avocados. I’ll have to try it!
Kasandria Reasoner says
I never knew that you could swap that either! I’m definitely going to try that out.
Kas
Jen says
For real!?! We eat Avacados like crazy in this house, but I have never thought about baking with them. I might have to try this. We have no problem getting the kids to eat veggies, but I have a major sweet tooth, if my cookies were better for me…
Roxanne D. says
I had no idea you could use avocados when baking. That is such a unique idea. My kids love avocados, so I will definitely give this a try! Great post!
Shell Fruscione says
I had no idea you could use avocado for butter! I had tried black beans in brownies before {which are great, btw} but never avocado! I may have to try this!
queenb says
I wonder what it would be like with avocado and black beans? Maybe too much. Hmm.
Danielle @ We Have It All says
NO WAY! NO WAY you could swap avocado for butter!?! I so so have to try this, I had no idea. I swap coconut oil for butter and I’ve hid veggies in recipes… but never thought to do this. Thanks so much, I can’t wait to trick my family haha!
queenb says
Mine didn’t notice!!