Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Double Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies


Did I ever tell you that I use my croppers as Guinea Pigs? I do, it's true, but maybe not in the way that you think. I use them for testing out new recipes. Usually recipes of the sugar crack variety. My Guinea Pigs gave this recipe a thumbs up. Yep, they said "WEEEEEET! Weet, weet, weet!" Never mind.

I get a little carried away sometimes.

I can't tell you how long I've been searching for a decent oatmeal cookie recipe. I'm talking about the basic recipe too, not all the doodads that have been added to this particular recipe. Doodads that I love, mind you, but it's the underlying recipe here that's a success. I was looking for a recipe that was chewy like an oatmeal cookie is supposed to be, but not thin and wilty so that when you hold the cookie up to the light it looks like a lace doily. Do you know what I'm talking about?

This recipe completely passes that test, so let's get on with it, shall we?


First of all, your recipe card, should you want it.


Here are the ingredients you will need: butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, 1 egg, vanilla extract, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, flour, old-fashioned oats, semisweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and white chocolate.


Please don't use white chocolate chips for the drizzle. Chocolate chips are designed to hold their shape in baked goods, therefore, they don't melt evenly when you attempt to melt them for the drizzle. Trust me on this. You want to use these white chocolate baking squares or some other brand of white chocolate not chips.

By the way, did you know that it is very hard to find real white chocolate in the grocery store? Most of the stuff that is labeled white chocolate is really vanilla. The only way to be sure it's real white chocolate is to check the label.


White chocolate (or cocoa butter) should be listed in the ingredients, preferably as the first ingredient. If it doesn't say either one, then it's not real white chocolate.


These are the dried cranberries I used for this recipe.


And just for kicks I made some of the cookies with dried blueberries. Peanut Head loved them.


I also made some with dried cherries. It's good to have options.

If you're feeling particularly daring you could even use raisins. I know. I'm so adventurous and crazy. Raisins!


This is what the dough looks like. I didn't eat any of it. It was disgusting. Yep.


I should mention that it's important to make sure the butter is room temperature. Do not melt it. You might be tempted to melt the butter in the microwave, but don't. Your cookies will end up looking like that lace doily I was talking about.

Then, when it comes time to form the dough into balls, be gentle and handle them as little as possible. Your hands are warm and oatmeal cookie dough is melty. Save the meltage for the oven.


This is what the cookies should look like coming right out of the oven. See how they're just starting to brown on the edges? Watch them closely and get them out quick.


Let them cool for a bit. While you're waiting, get started melting your white chocolate.


When it's all melty and smooth, put it in a little zippered baggie and snip a tinsy little bit off of one corner for the chocolate to drizzle out.


Drizzle the white chocolate over the cookies in a zig zag pattern like this. Or just fling it around until you're satisfied with the results.


Let the cookies stand until the chocolate sets, about an hour. Or if you're impatient like me, you could slip them in the freezer for 5 minutes and be done with it. These cookies freeze great too, so they make a perfect lunch treat. Even Zoe liked them and she is a picky little petunia.

Please, go and make these cookies and then come back and tell me what you think. Have a nice day.

15 comments:

  1. Ooh,ooh I want to be one of your guinea pigs! Did I ever mention I'm a junk food junkie?! Sugar crack, yeah, bring it baby!

    I dunno though these kinda teeter on healthy in my world, ya know with the oatmeal and dried fruit and all, but I'll give it a go ~ just as a test of course. =P

    Thanks for another great card!

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  2. Be careful!! Those things are loaded:-) Hee, hee, hee.

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  3. These look beautiful! White chocolate and Craisins - YUM! My littlest would LOVE these - she would sit and eat an entire bag of Craisins if I let her! These are going on my "To Make" list!

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  4. i love the addition of white chocolate! thanks

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  5. I don't usually talk dirty like this. But your cookies are so round! It's amazing! I think I need to have a party. I will name it Jill is an enabler with recipes and I need to try them out on someone. Oh that is really long. I will think about it!

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  6. Looks DIVINE! Cant wait to whip up a batch!

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  7. I can say with experience as one of your guinea pigs that they were delicious! I am so glad I can be a guinea pig. It's a happy calling! Thanks a million!

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  8. ok, I'm off to find something to catch the drool from reading this!

    Visiting you from SITS--have a great day!

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  9. I see no reason why I cannot try this one... I mean it has Oatmeal and Cranberries in it! Um, yeah I bet the White Chocolate & Butter & all the other yummy goodness that goes into it is not on my list to consume. Actually I think I will give this a try and see how the kids like 'em. They do look delicious!

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  10. i cannot wait to try these! i have to be careful with the blood sugar so i am going to substitute splenda sugar and splenda brown sugar- not much i can do about the chocolate chips, but the oatmeal and the cranberries cancel it out, right?!! i'm just jokin. i hope it won't kill me to have a couple cuz i just gotta have these!!

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  11. Hmmm... not sure about the cranberries...

    BUT we love blueberries in this family! Yummy!


    Thanks so much for visiting me on my SITS day... I had such a great day! :)

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  12. hmm..I'm honestly wondering how I did not find your blog before today. You have such fun ideas..love it! You've got me as a follower! Have a great weekend!

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  13. Oooo... These look so good. I'll let you know if mine turn out as good as yours.

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  14. OK you say it's good...well me and the kids are going to make these today!!! We just sold our home and are excited about finding a new home so we are going to make some of these and give them to our realtors .

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  15. Thank you! I absolutely love the fact that you are so detailed and have the pictures listed too. I am addicted to your site. :) There just arent't enough hours in the day. lol

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