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With this weekend’s fishing opener, I wanted to share a recipe that would be suitable for taking out in the boat. Andrea Strom of Brainstorm Bakery agreed to share her Crapola cookie recipe.
For those of you who don’t know, Andrea and her husband Brian, started making Crapola (cranberry apple granola) in 2007. It started off as a joke, but when they began selling it at the Ely Farmers Market, it sold out every week. They knew they were on to something.
In 2016 when they opened their retail store, Andrea wanted to add Crapola cookies to their lineup of products, so she started experimenting.
She wanted a hearty cookie, full of wholesome ingredients. It was also important that they tasted good, but were not laden with sugar. It made sense to make an oatmeal-based cookie, as they sell granola and therefore have plenty of oats in stock.
Due to her awareness of gluten sensitivities, she also wanted to make a cookie that was wheat-free.
Through experimentation, Andrea found that almond butter added a depth of flavor that made the cookies stand out. She also chose ground flax seeds as an egg replacement because they add fiber, omega fatty acids, and protein.
After several attempts, she created a cookie that was just what she was looking for. When compared with other cookie recipes, including those that are marketed as healthy breakfast cookies, Crapola cookies are lower in sugar and higher in nutrients.
Andrea and Brian have backgrounds in environmental education and organic farming, which inspire them to use as many organic and local ingredients as possible.
All of the flours and grains used in the bakery are organic, and they use only ingredients that their grandparents would recognize. They also strive to make items from scratch that they can feel good about giving to their two children.
I asked Andrea how she feels when guests visit the bakery. She responded with, “It warms my heart when families come in together to share a treat and conversation.”
If you are not a baker, feel free to swing by the bakery to grab a cookie, portage bar, or other treat and a cup of coffee before heading to the lake.
