Description
Hanky Pankys are crispy, flavorful snacks made from a delightful blend of butter, brown sugar, oats, nuts, coconut, and flour, baked to golden perfection. Easy to prepare and customizable with various add-ins, these treats offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
- 1 cup oats
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (or sunflower seeds for nut-free)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Add-Ins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white)
- 1/2 cup chopped dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, apricots)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Tray: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking, ensuring your Hanky Pankys will bake evenly and be easily removed.
- Melt the Butter and Sugar Mix: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth and glossy, forming a rich caramel base.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the flour (or gluten-free blend), oats, chopped nuts (or seeds), shredded coconut, salt, and any optional spices you choose to use, creating a hearty and textured base.
- Mix Wet and Dry Components: Pour the warm butter and sugar mixture into the dry ingredients along with the vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly until all components are evenly coated, resulting in a sticky yet manageable dough. Add any optional chocolate chips or dried fruit at this stage.
- Shape and Bake: Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, flattening them gently with the back of the spoon into small, thin rounds. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and centers are set.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the Hanky Pankys cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to crisp up perfectly before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh butter and nuts for the best flavor and texture.
- Do not overbake; remove from oven when edges are golden to maintain crispness without hardness.
- Space dough evenly on the baking sheet to ensure consistent cooking.
- Toast nuts beforehand to deepen the flavor and crunchiness if desired.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before storing to preserve maximum crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg