I am a terrible, terrible person. You must think I’m unable to keep my word. There may be some truth in that. It’s been over five weeks since I last posted. Five weeks. Sad thing is, I’ve had plenty of ‘back ups’ sitting here, patiently waiting to be used. There’s no excuses to be had. Later this week I’ll delve more into what has been going on, perhaps even try to justify my severe lack of commitment. On second thoughts, don’t hold me to it. Last weekend I knocked together a batch of Oatmeal Raisin Cookies for our residential college’s ‘celebration’ of Earth Hour. Truth be told they weren’t these ones – golly, not only do I go back on my word, I’m hypocritical too. This ain’t putting me in a very good light is it? However, a girl can only work with the ingredients she’s got on hand. Butter wasn’t one of them. Let’s not get too side-tracked though – these are significantly tastier and as stated below (yes it is one of those ‘pre-written ones’) you really do need to go make some. If you can trust me on anything at the moment, it’s that. In the meantime, I’ll get down to preparing a more substantial post for you!
Warning: do not make these cookies just before you go to work. You’ll be distracted for the length of your shift, pining for home, a cup of tea and cookie. Or two. Or three. The smell of freshly baked cookies permeates the kitchen and your work clothes (one of the perks of working as a chef is that you can cook in your uniform without fearing it getting messy). You go to work smelling of au deu oatmeal raisin cookie (anyone else think that an attractive perfume?), which is fine, except for the fact that it makes you Want. Those. Cookies. Even. More. The moral of this story? Do make the cookies. You’d be silly not to. Don’t make them before work. You’d be silly to. Capice?
Soft, chewy, buttery and not too sweet, these cookies ride the line between healthy and indulgent pretty nicely. There’s wholemeal flour, walnuts, dried fruit and plenty of oats to make you feel alright about grabbing a few for a cheeky afternoon snack. Why, with those ingredients they could be mistaken for breakfast material – baked oatmeal perhaps. Cinnamon undertones round things off nicely. Comfort food? Yes indeed.
Make a double batch and freeze some for cold wintery days screaming to be spent hunkering down inside, curled up on the couch in your sweats with a cup of tea, book and plate of cookies. We might like our cookies a little too much for our own good, but no one can say we aren’t organised!
Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Makes 16 to 17 cookies
Ingredients
¼ cup + 3tbsp (98g) butter, softened
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp caster sugar
1 egg
½ tsp vanilla essence
3/4 cup wholemeal flour
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp cinnamon
1 ½ cups rolled oats
½ cups sultanas or raisins
¼ walnuts, chopped
Method
Preheat oven to 175C. Lightly grease two baking sheets.
Cream butter and sugars until light, fluffy and smooth. Gradually add vanilla essence and beaten egg. Mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together. Tip into butter mixture and beat until well incorporated. Stir in oats, nuts and sultanas/raisins.
Scoop dough into rounded tablespoons and place on baking sheets, leaving about 3cm for spreading. Flatten each ball by pressing down lightly with the palm of your hand.
Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until light brown and starting to set around the edges. They will still appear gooey in the center, but will firm up when cooling. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Source: Adapted from Bakergirl.
Taste Without Waste 