Add Sunflower Seeds to Desserts

Sunflower seeds can be snacks all on their own, but have you ever considered incorporating them into the foods you eat? The seeds can be added to salads and even breakfast cereal for added crunch and flavor. Sunflower kernels also offer a unique flavor and make a healthy addition to snacks for the kids. Native Americans used the sunflower, a plant native to North America, as a food source--and so can we.

Sunflower seeds are produced in two types: oilseed and nonoilseed. Oilseeds are black seeds that are high in oil content; they are commonly processed into sunflower oil and sunflower meal and are often sold as bird seed. Non-oilseed (the confectionery sunflowers) are a larger striped seed used in many food products including snacks and bread.

If you're looking for healthy snack ideas, I've included recipes for sunflower cookies and sunflower kernels below. Try Sunflower Cookies and Caramelized Sunflower Kernels.

Sunflower Cookies Recipe

Makes 4 Dozen

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sunflower margarine
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut
• 1 cup roasted sunflower kernels

Directions:

• Firstly, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Then line with parchment paper 2 baking sheets; set aside.
• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the margarine with the granulated and brown sugars until well blended. Add the eggs and vanilla extract.
• In another mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; mix well to combine.
• Add the dry ingredients to the margarine mixture. Stir in the oats, coconut and sunflower kernels.
• Drop the mixture by rounded tablespoons spaced approximately 3 inches apart on the baking sheets.
• Bake until the edges are golden brown (for 8-10 minutes). Allow the cookies to stand on the baking sheets for 1 minute. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Caramelized Sunflower Kernels Recipe

Makes About 1/3 Cup

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup raw sunflower seed kernels
• 2 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar

Directions:

• In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sunflower seed kernels for about 3 minutes.
• Add the brown sugar to the skillet, stirring constantly and turning the kernels to ensure they are coated with the melted sugar.
• Turn the kernels out onto a baking sheet lined with waxed paper to cool.
• To serve, break the kernels apart. Store in an airtight container up to two weeks.