I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t like cookies. I just don’t. Because what’s not to love about a really good cookie? Um, NOTHING! And I’m all about the flavor! So raise your cup of milk, because these delicious Toasted Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies are just what the doctor ordered!
It’s so easy to be intimidated by baking. Especially if you’re baking meringue cookies. It seems like the cards are stacked against you. Too many odds. No way can you win. But, I completely disagree. In fact, I think you can 100% make Meringue Cookies. Why? Because I’ve got the tips to help you succeed!
I may be slightly obsessed when it comes to baking. Have you noticed? When life gets crazy, I bake. And luckily, I’ve got plenty of inspiration for new desserts! I’m pretty pumped to share my newest baking success story – White Chocolate Chip Blondie Sandwich Bites!
Every year Mother’s Day rolls around and I always find myself asking, “what am I going to get my mom?” I start feeling anxious about it too. I mean, is there really any gift that encapsulates the love I feel for this amazing woman? So you see, nothing ever seems adequate. This year I started to get that anxious feeling and then, by some grace of God, I felt a wave of calm wash over me. A voice telling me to sit down and reflect. So I did…and Mexican Wedding Cookies came to mind.
Cookies are a necessary part of life. Correction, cookies are a necessary part of my life. No matter how I’m feeling, a cookie is always a good thing. And a cookie with extra chocolate in it is an even better thing – helllllloooo Rainbow Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Here’s what I know, you either love Valentine’s Day or you don’t. Here’s what else I know, no matter how you feel about Valentine’s Day, you’ll never turn down a fun little heart-shaped sugar cookie, right? I also know that if you happen to be a 4 year old, there’s no question about it, you absolutely love Valentine’s Day and you absolutely love cookies, any cookie… “GIVE ME A COOKIE!” is a phrase constantly running in the background in their minds.
I’ve been baking cookies for a long time. And baking is in my DNA. Both of my grandmothers and my grandmother’s grandmothers (and probably their grandmothers too) all baked. It seemed to bypass my mom, but hey, it just wasn’t (and still isn’t) her thing. But I’ve got the baking bug and cookies are my jam! And these Two Bite Snickerdoodles? Well, they’re dedicated to those fine baking ladies before me!
When I’m hankering for something sweet, I turn to my tried and true recipe for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.
After years of eating store-bought cookies, I have officially decided “no more!” In fact, I’m not even tempted to go down the cookie aisle in the grocery store anymore. Really, I’m not!
I love little bites of things. I remember in culinary school we had a class called garde manger. This fancy French phrase refers to the cook or chef who works on the “cold” side of the kitchen – making the appetizers, pate, terrines, salads and other awesome, high-maintenance foods. I actually really detested this class. Why spend so much time creating those crazy layered things or pureeing all of that meat? It seemed weird and fussy.
I always have, and I likely always will. In fact, I’m convinced I’ll be the old lady at the nursing home hoarding cookies and scarfing them down in my rocking chair, collecting a pile of crumbs on my nylon pants. Hopefully it’ll be a nursing home with a good housekeeper. 😉
But, I digress. My point is, besides tasting awesome, there’s just something special about a good cookie. It evokes happy childhood memories and can make a day that wasn’t so great, pretty awesome. While my heart belongs to the chocolate chip cookie, I also have a big place in my heart for the oatmeal cookie. Oatmeal and chocolate is actually a favorite of mine too, go figure. But, because a certain someone in New York said she needed an oatmeal cookie recipe, I wanted to be creative and “think outside the box” with this recipe. It didn’t take long for me to come up with Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Cookies. No chocolate, but still so delicious.
Oh no, no they’re not. But here’s the deal. Cookies exist because of that special-ness I mentioned above. So, you must enjoy them on occasion. How can I say this as a dietitian? Well, because I am a real person. I know that we all need to treat ourselves and I know that we can do it in a way that won’t destroy all of the other good things we’ve done to nourish our bodies. So, here’s the deal. Use some whole wheat flour, get rid of some of the sugar and keep the portion small.
Now treat yourself by making and enjoying these Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Cookies!
A classic oatmeal cookie made with dried apples and plenty of cinnamon.
