4.28.2010

Squirrels, Seattle and Oatmeal Cookies with Dark Chocolate Chips

I'm tucked in bed on a blustery evening, watching a grey squirrel as he laps up water from a puddle, then dashes over to a large cedar tree, grasps a dandelion stem with two paws, and starts nibbling. :-) So cute. :-)

I had a lovely walk today, storm clouds black in the east as the sun shone brightly from the west, glimmering through new green leaves, dappling the stream.


The wind was gusty and cool, reminding me of my recent trip to Seattle when my pals Trish and Todd took me to fabulous little park overlooking downtown Seattle...


...and the ocean. We huddled against the chilly wind, delighting in the pearly sky, so peaceful after the rain.


We ate deliciously greasy burgers, salty fries, and thick milkshakes at Dick's Drive-In.


Then used Gowalla to find all sorts of interesting places like this Lenin monument in Fremont!


Next time we're going to track down the Fremont Troll! :-)

After our adventurous weekend, I was craving oatmeal cookies with chunks of dark chocolate. My favorite recipe is Betty Crocker's because they always turn out and are wonderfully chewy. Using dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet renders them heavenly. :-)



Oatmeal Cookies with Dark Chocolate Chips
(From Betty Crocker's Cookbook)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup dark Ghirardelli chocolate chips

Directions:
  1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Mix all ingredients except oats, flour and chocolate chips. 
  3. Mix oats, flour and chocolate chips in separate bowl, then stir into wet mixture. 
  4. Drop dough my rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake about 10 minutes or until light brown. 
  5. Cool.

28 comments:

  1. The pictures are really good! You do work a lot on your blog! You have new post everyday! :)

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  2. Tart - You've just given me my next baking project. I'm so excited! Oatmeal cookies. They look...in a word...PERFECT (all caps—"PERFECT!" she shouted from her cube). And I love that drive-in sign. I have a special place in my heart for drive-in signage. Hearing about the burgers, fries and shakes made me smile as well. "GREAT POST!" she shouted from her cube. :)

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  3. Thank you, Zizi! :-) Maybe I work too much, eh? :-)

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  4. And from my cube to yours, dear Amuse, I shout THANK YOU!!! :-) If my cube was next to yours I'd toss a bag of cookies over the wall for you. :-)

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  5. Fantastic photos of Seattle. What a wonderful city. And great way to finish the post with decadent cookies. Cheers!

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  6. Isn't it a great place, Lazaro? I just love it. :-)

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  7. Oh thank goodness a chewy oatmeal cookie recipe! The last few recipes I've tried have not been chewy at all which is rather sad as oatmeal cookies were born to be chewy.

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  8. I quite agree, Deanna! I'm always disappointed when they're crispy. :-)

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  9. It is interesting how oatmeal and whole wheat flour make such a difference in the look of the cookies. Not being able to use it, I don't know these things.

    They look delicious. You could throw one to me, also. It will get here.

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  10. I'm so glad you had such an excellent weekend! Your rambles and adventures sound fun...especially those greasy burgers and creamy milkshakes. I actually had a huge hankering for a milkshake the other day...maybe I was sensing you having one!

    Those cookies look fantastic. I love that you combined oatmeal with dark chocolate.

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  11. I know what you mean, Chaya! I love the hearty aspect when using whole grain flours. Mm. :-) I will happily toss you one! I have three left. :-)

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  12. Me too, Joanne! It did me much good. :-) I hardly ever crave milkshakes but oooeee, it sure tasted good! I hope you give into your hankering soon! :-)

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  13. Beautiful photos - you captured such lovely skies. Oatmeal chocolate chip are my favorite cookies, and these must be even better with dark chocolate chips!

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  14. Those pictures are fantastic! ... and the cookies look SO delicious. I'm craving cookies now (ok, I always crave cookies). lol

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  15. Thank you, Nancy! So glad you like them too. :-) Yes, the dark chocolate chips take them right over the top. :-)

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  16. Thank you so much, Elina! :-) I know what you mean! I'm down to my last three and just know I'll have to bake more pronto. :-)

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  17. Dark chocolate is the ONLY chocolate. :)

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  18. I completely agree, Marie. :-) It's the bestest!!

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  19. Ooh good old Betty Crocker! I do love an oatmeal cookie and adding dark chocolate chips is a match made in heaven Krista :D

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  20. Isn't Betty fabulous, Lorraine? :-) Her recipes are so cozy. :-)

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  21. It sounds like a fantastic weekend back up with really gorgeous photos and great cookies. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  22. It really was, Mary! It felt so good to be out and exploring with dear friends. :-)

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  23. I adore the B. Crocker Cookbook. Such a classic and it's great for good ole home cooking like these cookies.

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  24. I totally agree, Tia! Some people think it's too old-fashioned but I love it. :-)

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  25. Your Oatmeal Cookies look delicious! My Mom's Betty Crocker Cookbook is worth a small fortune now!

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  26. Thanks, Michelle! :-) I absolutely treasure mine. :-)

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  27. Those pictures look amazing and I could do with a chewy cookie right now too.

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  28. Thanks, Sarah! Me too. :-) With a strong cup of tea it would be the perfect way to start this morning. :-)

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