Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies (Soft & Chewy)

Was in the mood for a perfectly soft and chewy cookie. And since I couldn’t find anything in the shops that tickled my fancy, I decided to bake my own. Went for an oatmeal cookie this time because I wanted it to be slightly healthy…just kidding!! I just love oatmeal cookies! Obviously all that sugar negates any kind of healthiness. And honestly, if I’m going to bake cookies, and eat them, might as well be the real thing!

Also, if you’re wondering why my setup is different yet again, it’s because I’ve moved back to Durham. So plenty of recipes and pretty photos heading your way!

White Chocolate Chip and Walnut Cookies

I don't usually bake with white chocolate as it is too sweet. However, these cookies were absolutely delicious-and the addition of walnuts definitely took them to another level, So if you prefer soft and chewy cookies, this is the recipe for you.

Greek Easter Cookies, Κουλουράκια

In preparation for Greek Easter (May 1^st), I made κουλουράκια, Greek Easter cookies, and τσουρέκια, Greek Easter bread, AND even dyed a few eggs—I used natural dyes instead of the toxic packaged dyes, and if you are interested in the process just pop me a comment and I’ll give you the “recipe” for that.

Is it wrong to say that I look forward to Easter mainly for the desserts/sweets? Especially because I don’t eat meat, and haven’t eaten it for over 15 years—my grandma is still horrified over this fact by the way: think My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

For this post I will be focusing on the κουλουράκια (and the next post will be on τσουρέκια). And don’t worry if you have never made these cookies before. The recipe is simple and easy, and really, the hardest part is waiting for the cookies to bake.

Two quick points:

1. Don’t be alarmed by the number of cookies this recipe yields. It may seem like a lot, but trust me, they will be eaten in no time—especially if you share them with your friends and family. If you are still concerned, then just half the ingredients.

2. As you may already know, I always prefer my cookies to be soft and chewy. So if you are looking for a recipe that yields crumbly, crunchy, biscuit-type κουλουράκια, I’m sorry but this isn’t the recipe for you.

Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies (Soft & Chewy)

Do these not look amazing?

Just a few things I want to get out the way before we start talking about cookies:

1.  If you look to the right, you can now follow/add me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

2.  If you click to the right of the blog (screen), you can share my post on any social media account you wish—and please do!

3.  I am now a Yummly Publisher!! If you aren’t familiar with Yummly, it is a recipe database that allows you to browse through thousands of recipes, all catered to your unique tastes (do you want something gluten free? Salty? Sweet? Well Yummly gives you the option to choose). And their best feature is that you can choose recipes based on what ingredients you have/or don’t have.

Check out my Yummly Page and be sure to click on the orange YUM button to like my recipes, and save them to your own Yummly recipe box (it is a bit like a favourites tab, but for recipes)

4. I have about 3 more recipes to share with you all + a Great Expectations discussion. So be patient with me please—plenty of new things coming up J

I could probably eat this whole plate. Totally serious.

OK now back to stuff that actually matters, like these delicious, soft, chewy, rich chocolate cookies.

I made a version of these cookies when I first started up the blog—if I had to compare, not sure which recipe would win. In any case, I made these when I was craving something chocolaty and sweet, and didn't want to slave all night in the kitchen.

This recipe is quite simple, and because I wanted the soft & chewy consistency, they didn't take too long to bake either.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

As you know, I love cookies to be soft & chewy. That doesn’t mean I haven’t tried recipes for those crispier cookies, but it does mean that I have yet to find one I actually like—until now. And maybe it is because the cookie is crispier on the outside, while still soft and chewy on this inside, or because the recipe uses chunks of chocolate, rather than chips…regardless, this batch of cookies was absolutely delicious.

Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

For today’s recipe I thought I’d add some chocolate into the mix. And what better way to represent chocolaty goodness than with some simple chocolate chip cookies.

For the longest time I thought had the best chocolate chip cookie recipe—that is, until I found this one. I’ve talked about my love for soft and chewy cookies, and although I'm not a super fan of chocolate, these cookies by  Baker Bettie fulfil all of my requirements perfectly.

Just a little tip: I suggest you have company over before you attempt to bake these, or else you will end up eating the whole lot. YES, they are that amazing, Consider yourselves warned.

One more tip: you better have your cup of milk on standby. You will need it!

Peanut Butter Cookies

In the previous post I talked about how inexpensive/easy baking can be. As a continuation to that blog, I thought it would also be useful to mention the essential tools for baking.  

If you have been reading my recipes, there are a handful of supplies I always use, and mention:

1. Kitchen scales—one should always have one of these in their kitchen. I bought mine from Amazon for £7, and it works just as good as the more expensive ones on the market.  
2. Parchment/Wax/Baking paper
3. Spatula
4. Measuring Cups/Spoons/Jug
5. Whisk/Kitchen Aid/Hand Mixer—I suggest you buckle down and buy the £10 pound hand mixer if you don’t already have one. Sure, you can use a whisk or a wooden spoon, but have you ever tried creaming butter and sugar with it? It’s exhausting. Take my word for it.
6. Sieve or Sifter—I’ve always used a sieve in the kitchen, even for sifting flour, so don’t feel obligated to buy both.
7. Mixing bowls
8. Tins/Trays/Baking Pans—for the longest time I only had a loaf pan, pie pan, and baking tray. If you are just starting off with baking, that’s all you need too. Save the muffin tins and cake pans for when you get more comfortable in the kitchen.
9. Cooling Rack—not essential, but it does speed up cooling time for cookies etc.

 *most of my supplies (except for the scales and mixer) have been bought from Poundland or Wilkos for £1 or less, so don't be overwhelmed with the amount of tools you need.

Moving on, I have been searching for a great peanut butter cookie recipe for the longest time. Couldn't find any that I really liked. Luckily, my aunt, who is quite possibly the best baker I know, shared this one with me:

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

"Cooking is an art, baking is a science"

I’m sure everyone is familiar with this quotation. In fact, this is the reason why I was put off by baking for a very long time. Now I’m not here to tell you the aforementioned saying is rubbish, but I am here to prove to you that baking doesn’t have to be that hard.

For one, baking only requires a few basic, non-expensive ingredients, most of which should already be in your pantry:

unsalted butter-85p

plain (all-purpose) flour-45p

baking soda & baking powder-£1 each

vanilla extract- £5.50 (your one and only expensive item, and the bottle lasts a lifetime

salt-25p

*eggs-£1.75 for a dozen of free-range

*milk-£1

 *these aren’t always essential, but they are definitely used in many cases

As long as you have these ingredients, you can make anything: cake, cookies, muffin etc., and you can probably do it in less than an hour, with little trouble. Consider their combination as a blank canvas to which you can add whatever you fancy: chocolate, peanut butter, molasses, oats, fruit, etc.

There is one important rule for baking- always be precise in your measurements. If you can do that, then you are set.

The recipe I have for you today is especially easy, and my favourite combination, so I do hope you will all give it a go. If not, definitely try the banana bread- nothing easier than putting all your ingredients in a bowl and mixing it up.