Something Yummy For Your Tummy

Often times when the weather turns cooler I go into baking mode. It's not really because I'm wanting to eat anything in particular, its usually that I'm cold! Rather than bite the bullet and turn the heat on, I just think up something that goes along with our menu and fire up the oven. Okay, I don't fire up anything (unless I forget to set the timer), I just turn it to Bake and set the temperature, but you get my meaning.

This past summer our church went to a Ladies Conference over in Indianapolis. One of the Breakaway Sessions that I attended was called "Cooking Up Some Fun: Creating Memories and Traditions With Children". It was a really nice class on how to incorporate your children into cooking and how to make everyday eating more special. One of the perks of this class was that they gave us a handout full of recipes AND several of them that were in the handout were also served as samples. I love to eat, so this bonded me to this class right away! However, when I saw one of the samples was cookies I instantly thought to myself those cookies look dry, I'll just take one to be polite. Well, let me tell you I am too judgemental!! Those cookies were NOT dry, they were delicious!! I was so ashamed. Now I make it up by making batches and batches of these wonderful cookies. Maybe its a deep seated guilt carried in my conscience for being so judgemental of these cookies before tasting them! Or maybe it's simpler than that. They taste good so I make them and eat them. Probably the latter, especially if they have pecans in them. yummm.

So without any more rambling, here's the recipe. I hope you'll like them as much as I do.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

for Skeptics

1 cup Margarine

1 cup Granulated Sugar

1 cup Brown Sugar, packed

2 eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 1/2 cups Quick Oats

2 1/4 cups Flour

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Baking powder

1 1/2-ish cups Chocolate Chips

Optional, but necessary in my opinion

1 cup Shredded Coconut

1/2 cup chopped Pecans

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix together all dry ingredients, set aside. Cream together margarine, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until smooth then stir in the dry ingredients. Bake @ 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Additional options: Chop a large size Hershey's Symphony bar w/toffee. Add M & M's instead of choc. chips. OR

Make a cookie pizza. Just grease a pizza pan or cake pan, spread the dough and bake 12- 18 minutes (watch or else). Remove from pan after a few minutes and cool on a wire rack. When completely cool spread with softened icecream of your choice and add the toppings you love. Garnish with candies or fudge syrup. Freeze until icecream is firm. (I've made it up to a day ahead and it still came out great!)

Hope you love them! In my book they're what I call "Make and Take" cookies. Which means I need to make them to take then OUT of the house or I will eat them all.