Oatmeal Cookies used to be one of my favorites. I was smitten. I loved the texture and the nutty flavor. The fact that they seemed healthier than the average chocolate chip cookie made me swoon. Sadly, after a challenging week of oatmeal cookie baking, I have fallen out of love.
It all started when my friend Ron requested a birthday basket of oatmeal cookies for Carla in New York. No problem. I had the perfect recipe in my repertoire from my friend Vicky. I can make most of my cookies with my eyes closed, but not this one. The challenge started as I gathered the ingredients together on Sunday night. Oh no...no dates and no untoasted coconut. Hmmmmmm, time to improvise. I substituted a blend of dried cherries, blueberries, cranberries and plums for the dates, toasted coconut for the fresh, and added more toasted pecans. After tasting the raw dough, I was feeling pretty cocky. It was delish.
Then things went terribly wrong. My old lady eyes got the best of me and I set the oven for 350 F instead of 375 F. In went the first pan. When the timer went off and I opened the oven, the cookies were not the golden color I remembered. I left them in for another minute, then another and another. When they finally browned slightly, the cookies were dry and crunchy, not soft and chewy. Was my oven not working? Did I set the timer incorrectly? Oh well...I tried another pan. Same results! I was perplexed. Back to the recipe I went. Oh no, I discovered my oven temp dilemma.
I had used almost half of the dough. It was 10:30 p.m. I was VERY tired and I needed to ship these cookies tomorrow to arrive on Wednesday for Carla's birthday. The balance baked at the correct temperature, yielding barely enough for Ron's order. I was less than pleased. They were good, not great.
At this point, I decided to bite the bullet and bake a new batch the next night with no improvisation. I would overnight the cookies to arrive on Carla's big day. Carla's reject cookies were given to friends with rave reviews. Did I make the wrong decision not to ship?
More ingredients were purchased. The oven was set correctly. The recipe was followed to a tee. Once again, the results were less than perfect...very sweet and somewhat dry. I frantically searched the internet for oatmeal cookie recipes. Finally settling on a simple Raisin Pecan Oatmeal Cookie from Ina Garten. Why is this so difficult? I must be overthinking it. You think?!
Ina's cookies were OK. They spread more than I would like, but came closer to the softer, chewy cookie I was craving. One problem...the recipe called for Kosher salt, I substituted a little less table salt. The cookie had a salty after taste that just wasn't quite right.
My confidence sank to an all time low. Had I lost my baking touch? I could not let Ron down in his birthday wishes for Carla. The less than perfect cookies were carefully wrapped, beautifully packaged and tearfully taken to the post office to make their way to New York. I hope Carla subscribes to the motto - "It's the thought that counts!"
As I pout and worry about my cookie reputation being sullied, I vow to find the best damn oatmeal cookie recipe on the planet. I vow to find that loving feeling again. And Carla...when I do, a surprise will be heading your way.
Many hugs,
Kathy
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