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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Oatmeal, Pecan & Craisin Cookies!

It’s DAY 2 of the baking extravaganza!  I only managed to make one other kind of cookie today – and that’s fine with me.  I was deep in digging myself out of the “Other” side of the basement…the unheated side.  Because, you see --- today---heated or unheated was NOT a problem!  Will you look at what our temp is doing today? INSANE!
 
It’s just about 65 degrees out there, but raining at a pretty steady pace –which took away my first thought of wanting to be OUTSIDE in temps like this.

I have purged, reorganized and repurposed much of the storage room that is off that other side of the basement.  I feel like a kid that’s gone crazy in a donut shop.  And is now sick of donuts and doesn’t want to SEE another one.  Replace DONUT SHOP for FABRIC SHOP and the same holds true.

When you can’t close the cupboards because there is so much in there…when you can’t put another piece of green yardage on the green shelf because it is PACKED FULL ---it’s time to stop shopping and start sewing!

The problem is, haven’t I been sewing all along?  How come everything is still so full to bursting?!
After sweeping up, taking lots of stuff to the “throw out” pile or the “donate” pile…it was time for some kitchen fun.

cookies 022

For those who thought my Drop Sugar Cookies were pitiful, do these look better? I love thick and soft, chewy chunky cookies and these fit the bill.  Do you want to know how to keep some cookies from spreading too much on the pan?  CHILL the dough in the fridge before scooping it into balls and placing them on the cookie sheet.  It works!  I used a roundish Tablespoon measuring spoon and very chilled dough, and these held their shape while baking.

Oatmeal, Pecan & Craisin Cookies:
· 1 cup butter, softened
· 1-1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
· 2 eggs
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon baking soda
· 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 3 cups rolled oats
· 1 cup Craisins ((Dried Cranberries –Also can substitute raisins OR Chocolate chips –leave out cinnamon if using chocolate chips))
· 3/4 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped ((optional))

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together. Stir this into the butter/sugar mixture. Stir in the oats, raisins and nuts, if using them.

At this point you can either chill the dough for a bit in the fridge and then scoop it, or scoop the cookies onto a cookie sheet and then chill the whole tray before baking them. You could also bake them right away, if you’re impatient, but I do find that they end up slightly less thick.

The cookies should be two inches apart on a baking sheet. Bake them for 10 to 12 minutes taking them out when golden at the edges but still a little undercooked-looking on top. Let them sit on the hot baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool.  My oven requires the 12 minute routine, so test as needed.

I’m so happy that everyone was glad about Part 6 of Orca Bay being a day early!  Sew on, Everyone, Sew on!


13 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:42 PM EST

    Yum! I have a "Hootycreeks" recipe like that, but with added white choco chips. Mmm, Mmm, Mmm!

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  2. The cookies smells good :-))
    Have a great Christmastime.

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  3. Those look scrumptious! I love Craisins. :-) And who thought the sugar cookies looked pitiful????? A cookie is for inserting in the mouth and chewing, while becoming euphoric over the flavor....looks DON'T matter. LOL

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  4. Now THOSE are some good-looking cookies... and so glad you got that seam-allowance issue all taken care of - perhaps I should chill my HSTs!!
    You are a very good sport, Bonnie...

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  5. Our weather in Georgia is crazy, too. It was 70 today and now we have tornado watches/warnings along with boat loads of rain. It's a good night to make up cookie dough to bake tomorrow. Those are some good looking cookies!

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  6. Anonymous6:07 PM EST

    I feel guilty not starting Step 6 after you went to all the bother of sending it out early. But you see I had to pick my sewing room all up and put things away for the festivities to begin. There will be 15 staying here at my home tomorrow night. And all the grandkids sleep on the floor in the sewing room. The 8 grands range from 14 to 23 now. It's a tradition we started 21 years ago after my husband passed away. And I keep thinking they would like to do something different but when I ask them they always say 'Of course not Nanny, we like it this way'. There will be lots of food tomorrow night and on Sat. morning we have a yummy breakfast, a huge stocking full of goodies for all the kids and then our tree. Christmas Eve is a gala occasion with the extended families of cousins, aunts and uncles etc. with nearly 50 of us. On Christmas Eve I spend the night with one of my daughter and her family this year and will have another wonderful day there. I enjoy hearing what others do. You just need traditions! Enjoy.
    Maryella

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  7. Looks yummy, Bonnie. I made molasses spice today. Next on the list is Snickerdoodles for my sister who loves those. Then I hope to make some more Christmasy ones. (This year I'm giving cookies as presents to my siblings.)

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  8. Anonymous7:11 PM EST

    Your cookies look yummy! Have you ever used a cookie scoop? It's like a mini ice cream scoop but to scoop cookie dough. All your cookies are exactly the same size. They come in several sizes.

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  9. Thanks for all the yummy cookie recipes! It sounds like you have been incredibly productive....good for you! Just keep on sewing, I mean, you have to use that fabric up, right? Have a great night...

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  10. Wow Bonnie...those cookies look yummy.

    They have everything I love...oatmeal, pecans, and craisins...it sounds so healthy too. I will definitely give these a try.

    Thanks for surprising us with Friday's clue on Thursday...I like surprises. I met my best friend today to do some quilt shop hopping and surprised her by telling her about the early clue...Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

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  11. I think fabric is like bunnies....you turn your back for 1 minute, and it multiplies! And, no, I can't imagine for a minute that you've been slacking! You've just been buying! lol Sounds like there are going to be some green quilts in the making! Thanks for the recipe....sounds yummy!

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  12. Yummy! Thanks for sharing. It's very similar to the recipe on the Quaker Oatmeal box lid for Raisin-Oatmeal cookies. I sometimes use milk-chocolate chips in place of raisins. They come out good every time!

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  13. Not hardly Christmas weather is it? It's supposed to be in the 40s here so no white Christmas...better than the raging blizzard from two years ago.

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