Amaranth Cookies

This is one of my absolute favorite cookie recipes.  I love the slightly nutty flavor that the popped amaranth gives!  And well, I'm a sucker for the dried cranberry/chocolate chip combo.  So in case you are wanting to try a cookie recipe that is a bit out of the box...

Cranberry/Chocolate Chip Amaranth Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
* 1 c brown sugar
* 1 c granulated sugar
* 1 c butter
Cream together.

Add
* 2 eggs
* 2 Tbs vanilla
Combine and beat until smooth.

Sift together and add to the above ingredients:
*2 cups and 2 Tbs white flour
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1 tsp baking powder
* 1 tsp salt

Once beaten smooth, add:
* 3 cups popped Amaranth **
* 1 cup dried cranberries
* 1 generous cup chocolate chips
Beat the mixture well.  Drop cookies 2 inches apart on well-greased cookie sheet and bake for 7-9 minutes.
(if cookies spread out too much, add 1-2 Tbs addl flour)

These cookies also freeze well.  I form into balls and then freeze.  That way I can pop a couple of cookies in the oven for a quick fix, or just indulge in a frozen cookie dough ball.  Yum.

** Directions for popping Amaranth: (general rule is 1/4 c unpopped amaranth produces 1 cup popped.)
Heat pan (that has a corresponding lid).  Once hot, test 2-4 amaranth seeds and see if they pop quickly.  If so proceed by adding 1-2 Tbs of amaranth to the pot.  It should pop quickly.   Don't leave unattended in the pan, it will burn.  Check out this video for a visual on how to pop amaranth.  It is well worth the little bit of extra work for these cookies!

If you try it, let me know!  I'd be especially interested to hear if the guys out there like it.  Rich likes everything about the cookie except the cranberries.  People who aren't familiar with amaranth can be scared to the appearance...