More than one person asked me excitedly what I made for St. Patrick's Day. Well I'm sorry to disappoint, but I didn't give it any thought at all. I'm sure I could have made some chocolate stout cookie, or cut and ice shamrock shapes, or something, but St. Patrick's Day has always been a non-event for me. I think I've gone out to celebrate it once, and have never had a green beer in my life. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I just don't understand going out to get wasted during the middle of the week, and regaling coworkers the next day about how hungover you are, and how you upchucked "green".
Well aren't I a little party pooper?
Well for those of you who really want some sort of Irish baked good, the best I can do is Oatmeal Raisin cookies. I mean, oats are a staple in the Irish household, right? Anybody?
Yeah. Suuuuure.
Anyway, I have to admit, Oatmeal Raisin cookies are not normally something I reach for, though if they're around I'll eat them because--let's face it--I love
And they should! It wasn't until making them myself (for the first time ever, I might add) that I appreciated how great they are. Firstly, they're easy to make; the recipe employs your standard creaming makeup, and the drop baking method, so they're as easy as mix, drop, bake. Secondly, they're crazy delicious, full of fibre, and nice to chew on. Thirdly, this particular recipe is versatile. Once the flour is added, you mix in the oats (or puffed rice, or cornflakes, or...) and raisins (or dried cranberries, or chocolate chips, or trail mix, or...whatever!). Just like biscotti, you can make virtually anything out of this recipe.
Now I'm my harshest critic, but I have to say these are simply THE (as in "thee") best Oatmeal Raisin cookies I've ever tasted. I think it's the combination of cinnamon and cloves that really knocks these cookies out of the park. I also soaked the raisins for about 30 minutes (and then made sure they were super dry!) before adding them to the batter so that they'd be nice and moist. It occurred to me only afterward that I could have soaked them in rum...how delicious would THAT be? Rum Raisin Oatmeal Cookies? ZOMG.
Anyway, these cookies are an A+ for sure. You can find the recipe for Oatmeal Raisin cookies on my Recipes Page.
If you'd like to order some of your own Oatmeal Raisin cookies, please sponsor me for the Daily Bread Food Bank's Spring Challenge! Simply make your donation, then email me your order!
I can say, as fact, that they are definitely a staple in our half-Irish household! Next time I make them, I'm going to try the rum suggestion . . . yum indeed.
ReplyDelete