Goodness Cookies

These drop cookies are packed to the brim with good stuff: whole wheat flour, bran flakes, sliced almonds, raisins, and chocolate chips, all held together by a brown sugar and honey dough scented with orange zest.

The bran flakes cereal adds a toasty crunch that softens just slightly during baking, giving these a texture that’s different from a standard cookie. They’re chewier and more substantial, like a cross between an oatmeal cookie and a granola bar.

Orange zest is the ingredient that pulls all these flavors together. That bright citrus note cuts through the sweetness of the honey and chocolate chips, keeping each bite interesting instead of just generically sweet. Use a microplane and zest only the orange outer layer, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.

Chef Tips

• Cream the butter and brown sugar thoroughly before adding the honey. Honey is heavy and can deflate under-creamed butter, making the cookies dense and flat.
• Drop from a small spoon. These cookies spread, and smaller portions keep them from merging into one giant cookie sheet.
• Pull at 10 minutes if the edges are golden. The centers will look slightly soft but firm up on the rack as they cool.
• Store in an airtight container. The honey keeps them moist for several days, but they’ll go stale fast if left uncovered.

Variations

• Swap raisins for dried cranberries for a tarter, more colorful cookie.
• Use white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a sweeter, creamier bite.
• Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed to the flour mixture for extra fiber and a slightly nutty flavor.