Diamonds Not Oreos

Photo was taken while Boyfriendlovlie was practising his zen balancing with the cookies.

The one thing that got me excited when I moved to Canada was that Oreos are vegan here. Another taste of the so-loved (pre-vegan) childhood treat, was something quite unique despite it being just-an-Oreo. Sadly, after binging on quite a few packs, I obviously reaped the consequences of a little too many. As it goes: every taste lands on the waist! Sluggishness started to settle in - not a great feeling at all. Oreos are now only for the boyfriend. What would I not give to be able to eat them like he does and still not put on an ounce of fat. *sigh*. Despite abstaining from Oreos, the truth was my sweet tooth was still gnawing to be satisfied; I was left with no other choice than to have recourse to something homemade. I wouldn't call these cranberry oat diamond crisps healthy but at the very least I know what I've put in them. Oats being filling too, I would only need to eat one or two. At the very least, this is how it was meant to be.

What makes this version really distinct is the overnight chill in the refrigerator. You wouldn't want to omit that step because, trust me, that it does make a whole lot of difference. If you are in a hurry though, you may just chill the dough for at least 2 hours although it may lack the crispness and bolder taste that an overnight chill would give it.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend ... so I've made these into diamond shapes for a classier bite!

Cranberry Oat Diamond Crisps
Ingredients (about 25 cookies)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup desiccated coconut flakes
1 cup soft brown sugar
150 g non-hydrogenated vegan margarine at room temperature
2 tablespoon coconut-almond milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon molasses (or maple syrup)
1/4 cup dried cranberries

Sieve flour and baking powder together in a large bowl. Add oats, salt, coconut flakes, sugar and cranberries. Mix well.
Drop the margarine in the dry mix.
Incorporate the margarine by cutting it into smaller pieces in the flour. Then mix either with a wooden spoon or with the hands.
Add the milk, molasses and vanilla extract. Mix to form a sticky dough.
Once everything is well mixed, transfer into an airtight container, and refrigerate overnight or for at least 2 hours. (I left mine overnight).
When ready to bake, preheat oven at 200 degrees Celsius.
Drop mixture on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper.
Spread the cookie dough and line the tray, flattening to about 1/2 cm.

Bake for 12 minutes. (Keep an eye on it as it bakes really quick).
Remove from oven. The edges will be slightly more baked than the centre and they will already be crispy.
The centre will still be soft, it will harden upon cooling.
While still hot and soft, cut the cookie into diamond shapes (or any shape you like).