Something I almost never do…
I try very hard to make sure that the majority of the ingredients I use on this blog can be found, all be it with maybe a little research, by most everyone(well in the States and Canada). However, when I finally broke down and bought the chocolate covered sunflower seeds at Trader Joe’s I knew I would be making something with them.
If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, then I am sorry. It really is one of my favorite places to shop for food. What used to just be the place where hippies shopped for their Vegetarian and Organic foods, the Yuppies of today have joined right in. And what is even better is that Joe’s carries high quality foods for much cheaper prices. They have great cheeses, carry Plugra butter for a decent price, my organic milk and my most favorite trail mix, the Temptation Mix. No I am not doing a commercial for them, nor are they paying me to do so, I just love them so.
I passed those chocolate sunflower seeds a dozen times, choosing not to buy them because I did not want to be addicted to yet another product of theirs. But when my parents were here, my mother and I went off to Trader Joe’s for her to stock up…she does not have one anywhere close to her. There they were, and well, my mom was buying, so into the cart they went. The minute they went into my mouth I wanted to make them into a cookie, and that is what I did.
Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seed Cookies
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp ground sea salt
1 ½ cups chocolate covered sunflower seeds, unsalted(see note)
Preheat oven to 375F.
Cream together butter and sugars, about 3 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time and scrape down bowl after each addition.
Add vanilla and beat for 30 seconds.
In a separate bowl, combine and sift together flour, baking soda and sea salt.
Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix on low until fully incorporated.
Stir in chocolate covered sunflower seeds.
Form into 1-inch balls and place on a ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-9 minutes.
Let cool for 2 minutes on pan and then move to wire rack.
Makes about 38 cookies.
Note: Chocolate covered sunflower seeds were purchased at Trader Joe’s. If you do not have a Trader Joe’s than you can substitute ¾ cup unsalted sunflower seeds and ¾ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.
68 Responses
Leave a Comment
March 15th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Oh how I wish there was a Trader Joe’s here. I’ll have to find out where the closest one is from the Niagara border.
March 15th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I’m sooo jealous! I wish we had a Trader Joe’s
here:( Great looking cookies! maybe I can find the sunflower seeds online!?!
March 15th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
fellow temptation trail mix lover here
great looking cookies!
March 15th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I’ve seen those at my grocery store, so there may be hope for people who aren’t near a Trader Joe’s.
March 15th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Lucky for me, I seem to be surrounded by Trader Joes’. It’s absolutely my favorite store in the world! And I LOVE what you’ve done with these cookies. So super cute!
March 15th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Wow those are beautiful. I have a Trader Joe’s about 50 miles away, but sometimes I’ll come up with an excuse to make the trip. I’ll have to remember to get some of these while I’m there!
Thanks for having a substitution for those of us not close to Trader Joe’s!
March 15th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Well I’ve just added those to my Seattle shopping list in May!
So pretty. Cookies, Hooray!!
March 15th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Great looking cookies! I love the colors. *sigh* I miss Trader Joe’s. I was first introduced to them when I went to college in Pasadena (the original store is in South Pasadena). When they moved into the Seattle market while I was living there, I was extremely happy. Unfortunately, I am now in the middle of Texas, many, many miles away from the nearest Trader Joe’s. Maybe someday…
March 15th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
I’ve been resisting those too. But the colors are just too beautiful! I love your photos!
March 16th, 2008 at 12:54 am
DANG. I saw those on the shelf and thought….Way cute cookies, Peabody. Way. I love TJ’s and totally know that when I’m throwing a party, I get the cheese and dairy stuff there to save big. Nice.
March 16th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Wow that a cool idea for jazzing up seeds. A good way of getting children to eat them too i should think.
March 16th, 2008 at 2:31 am
Never seen chocolate covered sunflower seeds but I think I will try to look for them at my local health food store. I’m addicted to chocolate covered goji berries right now so I can only imagine how hooked i can get to these. Great cookies!
March 16th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Hi I just discovered your website so first time commenter here. I love this idea. These cookies look incredibly delicious! And I’m very fortunate to have a trader joe’s nearby. Thank you!
March 16th, 2008 at 6:38 am
they have chocolate covered sunflower seeds at the Bulk Barn in Canada. Mind you, the Bulk Barn ones are more rainbow coloured…
March 16th, 2008 at 7:20 am
looks so lovely. i used to have those chocolate sunflower seeds at lunch break in primary school, sure brings back those good memories. thanks for sharing
March 16th, 2008 at 7:23 am
I doubt I could get them here either, but I’m still glad you posted they are so cute, and I just love sunflower seeds, mmm.
March 16th, 2008 at 7:43 am
hey Peabody! I’ve seen chocolate covered sunflower seeds at Chinese grocers too…!! Cute cookies!!
March 16th, 2008 at 8:23 am
I don’t mind not being able to buy them. I will have my sisters send them to me! Trader Joe’s is in Eugene too.
They make me send them PG Tips Tea bags. (the American PG Tips taste different to them, so no good)the postage is more than the tea bag price!
March 16th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Those are very cool. I shop at TJ’s but hadn’t seen those little gems, I will have to take a closer look!
March 16th, 2008 at 9:04 am
I’ve heard so much about Trader Joe’s, I wish we had them here in the UK. Your cookies look great.
March 16th, 2008 at 9:08 am
It might take me a while to find those chocolate-covered sunflower seeds but I have a feeling it would really be worth it!
March 16th, 2008 at 9:18 am
I’ve never seen chocolate covered sunflower seeds! Intriguing. Great photos!
March 16th, 2008 at 9:58 am
You can also find chocolate covered sunflower seeds at World Market, Lowe’s Foods, or pretty much any upscale grocery/specialty store. They are one of my favorite guilty pleasures–great for movies too!
March 16th, 2008 at 11:28 am
So glad I have Trader Joe’s around here. I’ll go looking for those chocolate covered seeds!
March 16th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Bah! You and your Trader Joes. How I envy you! The closest Trader Joes is in Chicago (I live in Southern Missouri).
These cookies are so pretty and playful. I love the pictures.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Gah! I will scour England for something similar XD. I’m such a sugar junkie ^__^
March 16th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Here’s an online source for those who don’t have a Trader Joe’s nearby (oh, how sad — I’d be lost without it!):
http://www.sunflowerfoodcompany.com/sunnyseeddrops/sunnyseeddrops.html
March 16th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
My grocery store has those. Central Market in Texas. I haven’t bought them yet but I will now.
March 16th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I’ve seen those chocolate-covered sunflower seeds before and they’re so cute! Sounds like a delicious addition to these cookies, too. It’s a shame they’re made with milk… otherwise I’d be all over them.
March 16th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
There are no TJs around here but Whole Foods and Earthfare here carry them as well, just packaged differently. I am addicted to them with my afternoon yogurt snack. Great recipe!
March 16th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Chocolate sunflower seeds? Well I’ve never. They are awful colorful, too.
March 16th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I love, love Trader Joe’s! Now I’ve got to make a trip to get these seeds so I can make your wonderful cookies!
March 16th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Yummy, yummy, yummy & pretty!! Know what you mean aobut becoming addicted to their products….that’s why they can change less…we become addicts and return over and over and become addicted to more products….multiply times every darn fearless flyer they send out
My very favorite is still the Gravenstein apple applesauce…no sugar and tastes like home…heeheehee.
March 16th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I always find myself falling into the hands of temptation when I’m at TJ’s… but I haven’t seen these sunflower seeds yet. But you can bet I’ll be looking for them next time I go!
Intriguing cookies, Peabody!
March 16th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I’m pretty sure I actually saw some of these at Bulk Barn last week. Have to go back and look now. Cause if it wasn’t there, then I don’t know where it was and that will bug me!
March 16th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
A bunch of people have been raving about Trader Joe’s recently and now I’m all interested. Your sunflower seeds in cookies…such a good idea! That’s it, I’m finding one.
March 16th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I have those seeds! I haven’t used them! Yet!
And get this – I’ve seen them in various colors at HALLMARK stores. Not sure if that’s only a U.S. chain, though…
March 16th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Oh my! I absolutely ADORE these chocolate covered sesame seeds – I grew up eating them as a kid in Korea, and ever since finding them at the local Korean grocery store a few years ago, I hit ‘em up whenever I need a sweet nostalgic bite!
March 16th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I’m lucky enough to live by a TJ’s, but I always send gifts through thecocoaroom.com and they have chocolate covered sunflower seeds if people need another source.
March 17th, 2008 at 2:48 am
These cookies sound delicious! I don’t have a Trader Joe’s anywhere near me (not in my whole country!) but I can get these chocolate covered sunflower seeds at a Japanese snack store I know
Yay!
March 17th, 2008 at 3:19 am
TJ’s became popular whilst I’ve been living in the NL, so I got my very first introduction last year when I visited my girlfriend in Chicago. My favorite product were there dried Montgomery cherries, which I just used up this past weekend, boo-hoo! I’ll just have to pretend that I’m glad that TJ’s is far away, so I can’t get addicted to chocolate covered sunflower seeds too.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:31 am
I’ve never heard of chocolate covered sunflower seeds before… Great cookies with a twist!
Cheers,
Rosa
March 17th, 2008 at 6:21 am
I saw these yesterday at Borders – and while I was tempted to buy them I didn’t. I may have to go back and get some (and luckily they were “Eastery” so they were on sale!).
March 17th, 2008 at 7:46 am
I saw the first picture and was wondering what those cute lil morsels were. Chocolate-covered sunflower seeds??? Now that’s something my sweetest dreams would be made of. Absolutely unique creation!
March 17th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Wow, I have never seen those before (no TJ’s here!). I like sunflower seeds, but don’t really love them. However, I find the chocolate ones very, very appealing. Like peanut m&m’s…
March 17th, 2008 at 8:16 am
I don’t have a Trader Joe’s (unfortunately) but I do know of somewhere close that sells the sunflower seeds. Yay!!
March 17th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I’m such a TJ’s addict it’s disgusting really. I’ve managed to pass up the chocolate covered sunflower seeds too but now you’ve tempted me~ DARN YOU! We have actually seen these at Walmart Supercenters and Cracker Barrel of all places.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:15 am
They look so beautiful, Peabody!!
March 17th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I LOVE Trader Joe’s! I haven’t been there in about a month, so next time I go in I am definitely looking for the chocolate covered sunflower seeds! These cookies sound wonderful!
March 17th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I am so utterly jealous that you have a TJs. When I lived in Pasadena, there were SIX TJs within a 6 mile radius of my house
Those cookies are totally cute.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
those are SO cute!!! i wish we had a TJ’s here!
March 17th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
i love the idea of using these in cookies! for those in NYC, they’re also available at whole foods and at some of you larger deli/salad bar places (e.g., the one on 7th ave between 31st and 30th, for those who are interested).
not that either of these places will ever replace TJs.
March 18th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Oh my, I wish we had a Trader Joe’s around here….those cookies look absolutely delicious!
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:36 am
Borders book stores sell chocolate covered sunflower seeds. The brand that they have is from the Sunflower Food & Spice Company, which has a website where you can buy them: http://www.sunflowerfoodcompany.com/sunnyseeddrops/sunnyseeddrops.html
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:37 am
You said it perfectly.. not wanting to buy another item from TJ’s to get addicted to. Holy crap if that’s not the truth I don’t know what is.
Hubbs and I went 2 times when TJ’s started to be the talk of the blogs and we didn’t care for it and couldn’t understand what the fuss was about. I don’t know what made us go a 3rd time – but it was the charm. We spent over an hour in there and just grabbed stuff to try – things we wouldn’t have bought at another store.. 98% of everything we purchased was delicious!
Now we go once a month and stock up on all the TJ items we just can’t live without now.. heee! I too have wanted to try these sunflower seeds but haven’t – for the same exact reason why you hadn’t. har! Damn, guess I’m putting them on the list for next month’s visit!
PS – I think you should email me a list of the stuff you are addicted to so I can check them out too.
xoxoxoxox
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
[...] Chocolate-Covered Sunflower Seed Cookies Source: Culinary Concoctions by Peabody [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
They have chocolate covered sunflower seeds all over Kansas. We are the sunflower state so they sell them at most gift shops and I’ve even seen them in the grocery store. So, if you happen to be near Kansas and wanting to try this cute cookie…
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:09 am
[...] crispy waffle, Wholemeal Ricotta Pancakes with Berry Sauce and Grilled Pears from Culinary Bazaar, Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seed Cookies, Vanilla-Almond Granola Cookies and Green Jello Salad from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody, [...]
July 11th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Would you advise me where you purchased your choc. ocvered sunflower seeds, and if in bulk? Thank you.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I just bought chocolate covered sunflower seeds today after I was inspired by this blog at 3 o’clock this morning. I’m making the cookies as we speak so we’ll see how it goes!
August 8th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
You can now buy the online!!!!
August 20th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Wow – will have to try the cookies!! You can buy these chocolate covered sunflower seeds at Cracker Barrel (they are everywhere… right??) I am so addicted to them!! Thanks for the recipe!
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:15 pm
came across this blog when i was looking up how many ounces were in a box that i received from my mom of chocolate covered sunflower seeds… i have always been opposed to trying them… but wow i’m so happy i tried them… they’re FANTASTIC and these cookies above look AMAZING and i’m totally going to try to make them!
February 21st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
You can get these online by the lb. I found your blog while looking for these little guys for my wedding favors. Your cookies will be a part of my desert bar, and I wanted to thank you for the recipe! I know I buy the tubes of sunny seed drops for treats during the holidays at a local Italian deli. Here’s the link to the web sites! Hope this helps your readers!
http://www.sunflowerfoodcompany.com/index.html
http://www.nutsonline.com/seedsspices/sunflowerseeds/chocolate.html
February 26th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
[...] found the recipe here. I have to say this is one of the most creative blogs I have seen and I want to bake [...]
July 21st, 2010 at 4:50 am
[...] Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seed Cookies (From: Culinary Conoctions by Peabody) [...]
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
TJ Maxx has chocolate covered sunflower seeds most of the time. Please, leave a box for me though.
October 9th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
[...] Chocolate-Covered Sunflower Seed Cookies Source: Culinary Concoctions by Peabody [...]