How the cookie crumbles

I had a hankering to bake the other day, which resulted in an impromptu run to the grocery store to buy oatmeal (and then use the recipe under the top). Unfortunately, it wasn’t until we got back from the store that we realized that we were out of brown sugar! With no molasses in the house, we ended up concocting a substitute of granulated sugar + maple syrup.

I think oatmeal cookies are my favorite cookie, though peanut butter is a close second. There’s something about their warm chewy, oaty goodness that makes me want to melt into a snuggly pile of gooey happiness. To that end, a note: I used butter, because it was in the fridge, but next time I’ll be using Crisco or margarine. Some people hate these manufactured fats with a fiery burning passion, but butter makes for crispier cookies – and I want mine softer.

Quaker Oat’s Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
• 1 c firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 c granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1.5 c all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt (optional)
• 3 c oatmeal

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F

2. Beat together margarine and sugars until creamy

3. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.

4. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well.

5. Stir in oats and [whatever else you're adding]; mix well.

One of the best things about these cookies is that you can add in whatever you want! Walnuts, cranberries, toffee… whatever you happen to have on hand. This time I went for 1 cup each of coconut and chocolate chips – though I’m a big fan of the more traditional raisins as well.

My mother instilled me with a deep, bone-aching fear of salmonella, so I don’t eat cookie dough – but I have it on good authority that this was pretty good stuff.

6. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

7. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

8. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack.

OM NOM NOM

Advertisement