Friday, November 05, 2010

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies



 I'm so tired of seeing that shrimp and grits post. An update is long overdue. I have actually been cooking in the last month, and haven't been avoiding posting either; rather, the true story I am sad to report is that I have suffered a series of unfortunately and miserably failed recipes. Just awful: Butternut Squash + Apple Soup, the first attempt with my new food mill...baby food; Basic vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting...flavorless and dry as a bone; Berry Streusel Muffins intended to be eaten in celebration of a coworker's engagement...streusel that ended up more like burnt caramel stuck to the pan. Depressing. A friend of mine mentioned the other day that it bothers her when cooking blogs speak only of successes, so I figured I would lay out my recent failures before you. So, there you have them...The ugly mess-ups. Cooking certainly does a job at trying one's patience. Not everything turns out as you intend, as in life (something i'm slowly and not painlessly coming to terms with). It's just the reality. But, i digress...onto these cookies (which are a success).
   I don't usually love, love Oatmeal cookies (likely because they don't typically contain chocolate), but have tweaked these a bit and think they're lovely. I'm visiting my sweet friend, Karla, tonight, and decided I'd take a treat for her and her family. I made these in two batches: One with chocolate chips (for her kids) and one with craisins and walnuts (for the adults). Both are great. Another option is to stir in a couple tablespoons of peanut butter (smooth or crunchy) to the batter before adding the oats...They make a great batch of Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies. So, take your pick!
yields about 2 dozen large cookies
adapted from Quaker

ingredients:
1/2 lb. butter (2 sticks), softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups old fashioned oats
1-1/2 cup add-ins: any combo of raisins, 
        craisins, walnuts, chocolate chips...

directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars until creamy.
3. Add in eggs and vanilla. Beat well. 
4. In smaller bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt...Add to butter mix and mix well. 
5. Stir in oats and add-ins, mixing well. 
6. Drop by very heaping tablespoons (or using a cookie scoop--my preference) onto ungreased (or parchment paper-lined) sheet and press cookies down with your hand.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are a golden brown. Let cool for a minute, then enjoy with a glass of cold milk (required). 




5 comments:

  1. Hooray for messing up! And double hooray for cookies!!

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  2. thank you so much, lane! i'll try these this weekend! :)

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  3. sarah- shawn proposed to tracy a couple weeks ago! :)we miss you here. tonight's my last night. CRA-zy.

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  4. to all- i'm thinking i might make up a maple glaze to put on these. why not? i'll tack on a little addendum to this if i end up doing it. yay for more sugar on things!

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