We are introduced, at an early age, to the sweet wondernous of a cookie. From teething cookies to soothe the swollen aching gums of incoming incisors, onto animal crackers purchased in rectangular-shaped boxes bearing a string handle for easy toting by little fingers. Deciding which part of the animal should be eaten first-the trunk of the elephant or the tail of a lion-depended on how hungry one was. Savor each and every one or simply gobble them down as fast as possible.

My next cookie memory would be the ever famous, possibly all-time favorite, the chocolate chip cookie. There is nothing better than to bite into a round circle of baked dough sprinkled with gooey melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. A chocolate chip cookie can dry tears, heal broken hearts, mend scraped knees and elbows and solve sibling arguments. Most of the problems in the world could likely be solved by a properly baked, right out of the oven, chocolate chip cookie. The power of a cookie is underestimated.

I will attempt in the next 365 days to prepare and comment on a year’s worth of different cookies-one for each day. My goal is to share with others my extreme love of cookies-baking them and especially eating them! Feel free to send me your favorite recipe, your earliest cookie memories, or how cookies may have influenced your life. Cookies Rule!


Thursday, January 7, 2010

Cookie Recipe #5 - Oatmeal Raisin Cookies


Today's recipe is an old fashioned Oatmeal Raisin Cookie. Most of our Grandma's made this cookie. I never cared for a bowl of hot oatmeal and raisins were not to my liking, but combine the two, I'm getting my oatmeal for the day (you can always pick the raisins out or just not put them in!).

Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened, 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup raisins, 3 cups old-fashioned oats.

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In large mixing bowl, cream butter; add both sugars and beat well. Add eggs to middle of bowl and mix them lightly before mixing into the butter/sugars mixture. Add vanilla. Sift in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well blended. By hand, using a wooden spoon, stir in oats and raisins.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls on an ungreased baking sheet about 2 1/2 inches apart. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. Cookies should be lightly browned. Allow to cool in pan a minute or two, then transfer to cooling racks.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies (enough to share with friends!)

Cookies rule!!!

No comments:

Post a Comment