Date and Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Date and Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

adapted from Bill Granger

150g unsalted butter

1 cup packed soft brown sugar 

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup plain flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

a pinch of salt

2 1/3 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup dark chocolate, roughly chopped

1/2 cup dried dates, roughly chopped 

Preheat oven to 180 degrees, line three large baking trays with baking paper.

Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy and smooth.  Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat neil smooth.  Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl and mix lightly.  Add the oats and chocolate and dates and stir to combine.

Roll tablespoons of mixture into balls and place on the baking trays.  Flatten the balls with a fork dipped in flour.  Bake the cookies for 10 minutes, or until pale golden if you like them to be soft and chewy and longer if you like them with a bit of crunch.  Remove from the oven and cool on trays for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.