Cookies vs. sociology

In a (successful) effort to not write my sociology paper, I made oatmeal raisin cookies.

I love making my own cookies. I love baking in general, but there's something so special about wanting that soft, chewy, just-sugary-enough treat and then going and making it yourself.

I was lucky enough to grow up in a family that cooks. (My roommates and friends are not so lucky, because they have to/get to eat all the treats I make. I will make all of them fat.) My family is a big believer in making a lot of things from scratch: cookies, tomato sauce, pizza dough, and pancakes. In fact, I was so spoiled growing up that I still don't trust in-the-box pancake mixes. It makes me sort of a snob, but I don't mind so much because from-scratch pancakes are delicious. And so are from-scratch oatmeal raisin cookies, which is where I was going with this.

One more statement, and then I'll give you the recipe: I'm taking it as a sign of growth that I can trouble-shoot very basic problems with my baking. Tonight's cookies, for instance, needed a bit more cinnamon and maybe some nutmeg. I don't have to follow recipes to the letter, and I think that's good. Next goal is to be able to recognize what baking powder and baking soda do... To Wikipedia with me!

Oatmeal raisin cookies

1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)

1¼ cups firmly packed brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

1¾ cups flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt (optional)

2½ cups rolled oats

1 cup raisins (or 2 cups chocolate chips, or 1 cup of each — the last idea is the best idea)

1. Heat oven to 375°F.

2. Beat butter and sugars until creamy.

3. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Mix.

4. Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix.

5. Stir in oats, raisins (or chocolate chips). Mix until everything is incorporated.

6. Scoop up a generous tablespoon of dough and drop it onto a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

7. Bake 9 to 10 minutes. This is the official time, but I usually leave it in for a little bit longer — until the center of the cookies don't look wet.

8. Cool for 1 minute on a cookie sheet, then remove to a wire rack. Cool completely.

9. Swat away hands as they try and take your precious cookies.

P.S. When Roommate returns with her fancy camera, I'll have fancy pictures. Until then, it's cell phone pictures for me!