Around the holidays there are three things I love to do at home: blast cheesy holiday songs, light candles and the bake cookies. The smell of oven-baked cookies, just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. To me, the holidays are not about opening up a ton of gifts or running around like a maniac doing last-minute shopping (even if that’s what I’ll end up doing). I love the calmness, coziness and togetherness it brings about.
Last week, we had a fondue dinner at friends, who live in a cozy chalet-style apartment, nestled in the Alps. Nothing screams holiday and cozy quite like being 1,300 meters above the sea, overlooking the snow-covered mountains. It was also the perfect excuse –not that one needs one, to bake cookies. Oatmeal raisin cookies are one of my holiday favorites. I adapted this recipe from Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything. These cookies have a rich nutty texture and slightly sweet taste. They are a nutritious and wholesome cookie alternative. The addition of sunflower seeds are optional, but they do add a nice crunch and subtle, salty taste.
Rustic Oatmeal Cookies
What you need:
- 4 TBSP unsalted butter
- 1/4 c white sugar
- 1/4 c brown sugar (or in my case about 1/4 tsp of molasses mixed with white sugar)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 c all-purpose flour
- 1/4 c of whole wheat
- 1 cup of rolled oats
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- little less than 1/4 c of milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 c raisins
- 1/2 c chocolate chips
- 1/4 c sunflower seeds
How you make it:
- Preheat oven to 375 F
- Cream butter and sugars with an electric mixer, add egg and blend well
- combine flour, oats, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder
- Add milk and dry ingredients to the batter and blend together
- Stir in vanilla extract
- Bake cookies on an ungreased baking sheet for 10 – 13 minutes or until golden brown and transfer to a cooling rack
- Put it in a cute holiday container and spread the holiday cheer!
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season filled with family, friends and amazing food.
