Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you happen to live on the East Coast, you are probably covered in snow at the moment, dreaming of summertime and tropical getaways and fruity drinks with cute little umbrellas. And cursing winter in general. Since I was not prepared to invest in a team of huskies, I am stayed in today, admiring the white stuff from the comfort of my apartment and dreaming of something different. Namely, cookies. I don't know what it is this winter - ahem - that has inspired this cookie-baking zeal, but I am fairly certain that I could eat a cookie - or five - every day until they have to remove me from my apartment with a crane. So this morning, while watching news reports of the snow and subsequent school cancellations, I started scheming. What kind of cookies would I make? What did I have on hand to make said cookies with (because going outside, even around the corner, was just not an option today)? I decided I wanted something classic but substantial. Oatmeal raisin? Chocolate chip? Something with nuts? In the end, I decided on these - a little oatmeal chocolate chip goodness. Wholesome and yet a touch decadent. Not too sweet, with a delightful interplay of cinnamon and chocolate. And just perfect with a cup of tea on a wintry New England day. Yum.


Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
yields about 24 cookies

1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powed
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup toasted walnuts (optional)

Beat together butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, mixing well after each addition.

Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt (you can sift these together, if you like) and mix well. Add in oatmeal, choco chips and walnuts (if using) and mix until just incorporated.

Drop by the heaping teaspoonful onto baking sheets and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool for a minute on baking sheets before transferring to baking racks to cool completely. Enjoy!

- e