That sounds weird, right?
But think about it. Cookies are good. Starburst are good.
You like fruit in your cookies. Starbursts are like fruit, but bad for you. But don’t worry, the cookie part if less than bad for you, so it all evens out. Trust me.
Did you know that now there are packages of Starburst that come with just the red and pink ones??? Amazing. Is there any reason to eat a fruit flavored candy that isn’t red or pink? Like gummy bears…why do they even make the other colors? Why can’t they just stick to the red ones?!
You know what I think is weird? Gummy bears in ice cream! I do not prefer that. The cold ice cream makes them hard, and not gummy at all really. But a warm cookie makes a Starburst warm and gooey, like when you put taffy in the microwave. Yummmm.
Taffy, on the other hand, should only come in yellow. But that’s neither here nor there. As it turns out, Starburst inside a cookie is actually not weird, but delicious.
Especially if the cookie gets just a little crunch on the outside. Then all the textures and flavors work out in harmony and all that crap. Yes, my cookies are freaking harmonious. What are your cookies? Just melodic? Pssshhhh. Okay, I’m sorry. I had a music nerd baker moment. Don’t give up–LOOK AT THE COOKIES!!
Starburst Cookies
yield 1 dozen
- 2/3 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp baking powder
- 3 tbs fat free cream cheese, softened
- 1 tbs light whipped butter, softened
- 3 tbs turbinado sugar
- 3 tbs Splenda
- 1 tbs egg substitute
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 12 Starburst candies
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, sugar, and Splenda until smooth. Beat in egg substitute and vanilla. Â Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
- Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and stuff each dough ball with 1 Starburst. Re-roll dough around Starburst, so that it is completely covered, then place on prepared cookie sheet,
- Bake 8 to 10 min, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet for 2 min before serving.
- Serve warm, fresh out of the oven for optimal Starburst consistency. If you make them ahead of time, you may wish to rewarm before serving.
Nicole @ The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie says
I do not prefer gummy bears in my ice cream either – I cringe every time lance throw a scoop on top of his froyo
Isn’t yellow taffy banana flavored?!? ewww…
Ari says
Banana taffy is the best!! Weirdo 😉
bethy says
These look yummy, but I must agree with Nicole banana taffy is not my fave. I have to say cotton candy taffy is by far my favorite. Interesting idea w/ these cookies I would totally gobble these up! Welcome home!
Lisa says
i love your nerd music baker moments.
Alex says
I would like to know how long these last before too stale/not good anymore. I will keep them sealed in a ziplock and then in a tuperware for at least 3-4 days before they can be eaten.
Ari says
As long as you have them sealed up, they should be okay for 5-7 days. The thing about cooking with less fats, is items are best when eaten right away. Higher levels of fat keep them soft for longer. The Starbursts go back to their original state eventually, so if you want that part to be gooey, I suggest just sticking it in the microwave for 10 seconds.