sometimes a girl's gotta eat... and feed her friends and family

over the past few years i've become a proficient cookie baker (if i do say so myself).  i'm not a gigantic fan of following recipes (a number of kitchen buddies can attest to this) but i do like to eat well and certainly make it a priority to cook foods that i know will ensure good eatin'.  that said, when it comes to the wonderful world of baking, recipes, like chemistry, require a steady formula.  only once you get comfortable with the weights and whistles of it all can you diverge from your original path to make a superior product.


that said, i have been trying my hand at the oatmeal cookie for some time now.  amongst other classics, like the chocolate chip, i have made a point to taste-test a number of options, hoping to ultimately make the very best version of one of my very favorite confections.  and friends, last night, i think i made my ultimate version of the oatmeal cookie (complete with dried cherries, assorted raisins, dried turkish apricots, and dark chocolate).


below is the recipe which was adapted from smitten kitchen (one of the best cooking blogs out there)!  these puppies take very little time and are the perfect combo of flavor, goodie in every bite, crispiness, and chewiness.  

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup cherries
1/2 cup apricots
as much chocolate as you damn well please (i used 2 large bars of green & black's)


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, dried fruits, and chocolate.

*now, chill the dough for a bit in the fridge.  i like to give my dough at least an hr to just settle.  it lets the flavors meld nicely!

*the cookies should be at least two inches apart on a lined baking sheet. 

*bake them for around 10 to 12 minutes.  take them out when those suckers are golden at the edges but still a little undercooked-looking on top. 

i especially recommend these cookies if: 

a) you are exhausted and need something absolutely delicious

b) your heart is on the heavy side 

and you're not doing the best job of letting the past 

(and your past's present) go

c) it's raining

d) you love cookies and the smell that lingers in your apt after baking

e) you love your friends and family 

and want them to nosh on an edible hug

f) all of the above

happy nibbles!!