Thursday, March 29, 2012

Oatmeal, Apple, Ginger Cookies


I'm finally starting to feel a bit like my old self.  I knew moving meant lots of big changes, but sometimes it's the little ones that end up being the hardest.  I had to part with a big part of my cookbook collection, except for a few I grab for often.  I love staring at all the delectable photos in them, but most of the time I end up getting recipes elsewhere.  I do love having a couple of good reference books though and I consider The Joy of Cooking one of them.  Somehow I start with a recipe but end up somewhere completely different.  Do you guys have a favorite you just couldn't part with?

I was flipping through said book when I came across a familiar Oatmeal Raisin recipe, cringing and reading at the same time.  I love oatmeal; it's the raisins I have an issue with.  It's not like they ever did anything to me - I just don't like them.  My mom made Oatmeal Raisin Cookies all the time because they were my dads' favorite.  Key point here being they were his favorite.  I didn't like raisins, not that she cared or even asked my opinion or anything.  Not that I have an ax to grind with my mother or the like, I just don't like Raisins!  Holy smokes have we covered the fact yet that I don't like raisins.  I just need you to know - I don't like raisins.  

After composing myself I scoured the pantry for something different to put in my oatmeal cookies. I found some dried apples and crystallized ginger that were calling me and these cookies were born.

Oatmeal, Apple, Ginger Cookies
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup dried apples, diced or cut into small pieces
2 ounces crystallized ginger, minced

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Add the butter to a mixing bowl or the bowl of a mixer and mix until soft.  Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar and mix until combined.  Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, eggs, and vanilla and mix until combined.  Add oatmeal and mix until combined.  Add apples and ginger and mix until combined.

Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to scoop out 1 1/2" balls of cookie dough, place the balls onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment or a silpat.  Press the balls down slightly leaving them at least 1/2" thick.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes.

Makes 36 cookies.

Adapted from Joy of Cooking.


I had to laugh when a sweet friend asked me the other day, "So what happened to the bike?"   I had this grand plan all worked out to leave the bike parked behind the moving truck and tell the movers to back it up because the coast was clear.  My plan was foiled though by Hot Dog Dude who kept it under lock and key in our other garage.  So I will have to keep you posted if I find another way for it to mysteriously disappear.

Enjoy,

Gina

31 comments:

  1. You are the definitely cookie queen and I am the queen of cookie eaters! :) I still haven't met a cookie I didn't love AND I love raisins in my cookies! But then again I love apple and crystallized ginger too... I think I will try this soon!

    P.S. - I was wondering about the bike too! :)

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  2. There was another reason hubs liked you even if he didn't know it then (besides the fact that you're so nice and he loved your macarons)--he doesn't like raisins either. :) These, however, he'd fall for...and so would I.

    Glad things are going back to normal for you, Gina. :)

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  3. Thanks Marsha. Jean you are too sweet. So glad I'm able to find my pans so I could make some cookies.

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  4. It's so good to see you settled in Gina! And with a beautiful batch of cookies;-). I'm a raisin lover but I would go for your substitutions big time :-). I feel a lunch coming on!

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  5. LOL! oh bella, I can just picture the scene if they would have backed up on that bike LOL! My hubs hates raisins too....so funny. the ginger sounds like a mahvelous addition....you know, I only have 4 cookbooks, all were gifts, one is from the florida keys, one is a better homes and gardens one from wayyy back in the day, one is a random one of just pastas, and one is a skinny pamphlet style book of greek recipes that I got from a greek festival. But I don't have a favorite "go to" one...I know there are so many great ones out there. hugs to you bella

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  6. Congrats on boxes that are unpacked, beds that are slept in and all that is involved with making a new house a home! From what I can see, it's a very warm and inviting place. I have a pretty good amount of cookbooks, but agree that I only end up using a handful. Like Bella, BHG is one of them.

    You know me and ginger. this looks AMAZING. And yes, I will make them.

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  7. Oh-ho-ho-BOY these sound tempting. I hate raisins too but I love apple and ginger. These will be made this weekend I am sure of it! Happy Friday my friend! I was thinking of you and I'm glad I get to catch up on your tasty treats and give you some comment HUGS!!

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  8. Oooh, I love every single ingredient :) Sounds like a wonderful cookie recipe!

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  9. Hi Gina-so nice to see you posting your favorite cookies in your new home...the background looks like you're in your new home, all settled in, now!
    I love your version of the oatmeal cookies with ginger, and apple...although, I LOVE raisins...actually, I adore them in just about everything, especially in oatmeal cookies...light, or dark, no difference!
    I still remember the oatmeal and cranberry cookies that I got from you from the on-line bake sale, still have the recipe. That was amazing; even had the yummy chocolate chunks in it!

    I know you guys are having so much rain there, keep seeing it in the weather report. Here, we have perfect Spring weather, for S. Florida, that's a BIGGY, because we go right into the hot summer, right about now, and it's so pleasant, in the seventies here, sunshine, galore!

    Sorry, that I haven't visited your blog lately, with my on-going illness for 2 months now, I couldn't shake it...still coughing, now with all the pollens in the air!
    Also, I see that you downsized, as well. It's good to do that, and have a huge garage sale, which I also did. Getting rid of so many cookbooks that I never even looked into. I have Mark Bittman as my all-time favorite, and also Fanny Farmer as the ultimate old fashioned/somewhat new, now!
    Also, I got rid of an entire stack of Gourmet magazines when I moved...20yrs of collection...now I'm sad about that one:((
    Take care my dear friend, big hugs to you:DDD

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  10. Good to hear you are settling down in you new home. When we downsized a few years ago I have to let go of SO MANY things including recipe books. Since then I have to admit I am about back to the original numbers.
    I think it is a sickness.
    Love these cookies with the crystallized ginger.
    Rita

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  11. awesome flavor combinations! these sound fantastic!

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  12. These sound SO yummy, Gina! I usually sub another dried fruit for raisins, but never apples! I LOVE the idea...I must try these beauties~

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  13. You dont like raisins? OMG I love em' but I'd still eat all of these cookies regardless :)
    Take care.

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  14. Last time we moved, my husband insisted in taking all the books with us and you know what? He does reading on his Kindle (before he used Palm) all the time. Dang it, he still keeps all the puzzles in the cellar...;-(
    Now I need something sweet and comforting to cool me down...these cookies seem like a perfect treat.

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  15. Gina,
    Glad that you are getting settled in your new home, and baking again. Baking makes a house, smell like a home. I love the apple and oatmeal, but the ginger, not so much. I do love raisins and crasins, however.
    I could not part with my BHG or Cooking Light cookbook

    Have a great weekend!

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  16. I am glad that you getting back to normal!Beautiful photos, Gina! And what a great looking cookies..I would munch those in a second!

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  17. This recipe will be hard to recreate in my house because I absolutely demolish all the dried apples in the house. Funny this is, though, when we do have them and I'm not stuffing my face with them, they go in our morning oatmeal. Never thought of transferring our breakfast into a cookie - and the addition of ginger would pack the right sort of zing.

    Also, I think the battle between you and the old bicycle will become a standard on this blog. I predict it's going to turn into a "Spy vs. Spy" sort of thing :)

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  18. Gina - I am glad that you are settled into your new home and now we are "neighbors" or at least a bit closer than before. Your cookies look amazing and perfect for this rainy Saturday we are having! Have a great weekend!!!

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  19. How delicious! If I lived near you, I think I would be knocking your door as soon as I smell the fresh baked cookies! Crystallized ginger in these cookies? WOW! I love ginger and I want to taste these cookies! You always come up with great cookie recipes. You can have a cute cookie shop with all kinds of cookies. ;-) I'll be your faithful customer there.

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  20. Congrats on the Top 9 today!

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  21. Such a pity you don't like raisins - but then if you come up with alternatives like this combination, it's a win-win for all of us, eh? They look and sound delicious, Gina. So glad to hear you've settled in well and getting back into the fav cookbooks. Bravo on Top9!

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  22. Lol, too bad about the bike :) Sorry you had to part with some cookbooks but I am glad to hear that you are feeling like your old self again :)

    I'm with you, don't care for raisins. Though I do admit that I bake things with them because hubby loves them. Apple and ginger is a great alternative, love your recipe. Congrats on the top 9, yay!!

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  23. Wonderful cookie recipe and the apples are a cool addition. Oatmeal cookies rock. Congrats on the Top 9.

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  24. These sound just like Apple Pie Cookies. Yum!

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  25. Your blog is amazing, very inspiring!

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  26. Thanks everyone for all the Buzzing!

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  27. Top 9 post, Gina! You should be proud :). First, you make moving house seem like a day in the spa (easy and relaxing) and second, you put together the best flavors in your baked goodies! I love the apple, ginger and spices combo and if it contained those dastard raisins, you would have the perfect cookie!

    Miss you, straight-talking Mama!

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  28. Love this rustic cookie combination! Apple is a great replacement for raisins but we don't mind eating either both.

    Congratulation on the Top 9. Your blog is really good! "Like" your blog at Facebook and also I'm your latest follower! :D

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  29. 3 of my favorite flavours in a cookie? YES PLEASE!
    xo
    http://allykayler.blogspot.com/

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  30. I will share a secret with you, I don't like raisins either, lol. This cookies on the other hand, I would be all over :)

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