Thursday, August 03, 2006
Cooking School: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
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These are, hands down, the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies I have ever made and probably the best I have ever eaten. Granted, I actually make things that I like more than these (sometimes you feel like a muffin, not a cookie), but I have never seen someone not reach for a second cookies straight away. They are fantastic - slightly crispy on the edges with a nice and chewy center. They are buttery, without being greasy at all, and perfectly balanced. The cookies have just the right amount of chocolate chips to appease any chocolate lover, but not so much that the flavors of the oats and vanilla are drowned out.
I could go on about the taste, but I'll refrain.
The cookies are from The Frog Commissary Cookbook, a book of the recipes from a very popular local restaurant called "Frog" in Philadelphia in the 1970s. As I have family out in that area, I suspect that more than one relative of mine frequented the restaurant, which is probably how my mother ended up with a copy of the cookbook. She started making the cookies and, after a time, so did I.
The book says that the restaurant would "sell this cookie the way that McDonald's sells burgers: they fly out the door." They also note that they were "irresistible," even to employees who were around them every day.
Oatmeal cookies hardy make a good "cooking school" entry in terms of method because almost everyone knows how to make a simple drop-cookie already. They fit in, however, because this is a cookie that everyone needs to have in their repertoire.
Trust me.
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups oats (rolled or "quick," but not "instant")
2 cups chocolate chips (about 12-oz.)
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and the sugars until mixture is light in color. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the milk and the vanilla extract.
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Either by hand or with the mixer on low speed, gradually beat the flour in to the sugar mixture until just incorporated.
Stir in the oats and chocolate chips by hand.
Drop 1-inch balls of dough onto the cookie sheet, placing about 1 1/2 inches apart so they have room to spread.
Bake at 350F for 10-13 minutes, until golden brown at the edges and light golden at the center.
Cool on baking sheet for at least 1-2 minutes before transfering to a wire rack to cool completely.
Makes 4 dozen.
Notes:
- If you chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking, you will have a slightly puffier cookie.
- You can substitute raisins for the chocolate chips.
- You can add up to 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts in addition to raisins or chocolate chips. You might want to make the cookies slightly larger if this is the case.
Nic, 8:16 AM
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44 Comments:
They look like cookie perfection. Can I ask what kind of chocolate chips you use for them?
elsa, at 12:12 PM
I have used all brands of chocolate chips in these, the standard semi-sweet variety. It doesn't matter what kind you use.
How do you make your cookies come out uniform and round? Mine are 50% good-looking and 50% misshapen.
, at 12:46 PM
Is it necessary to use the parchment paper? I have never used that when baking and am wondering what difference it would make? Thanks
Anonymous - I have a lot of practice!
Jill - The cookies will still cook without parchment paper, but I recommend it for all bakers. It makes the cookies come right off the pan and makes cleanup easy. You'll never have a cookie stick to the baking sheet if you use parchment paper.
Jill - The cookies will still cook without parchment paper, but I recommend it for all bakers. It makes the cookies come right off the pan and makes cleanup easy. You'll never have a cookie stick to the baking sheet if you use parchment paper.
This is very similar to my most favorite cookie, except that I use Crisco instead of butter, which makes them crisper.
, at 4:15 PM
they look lovely! I'm bookmarking your site to try out the various good recipes you've listed...thanks a lot!
Oh my, oatmeal cookies are my favorites and your description of these made me want to try them right now! I will definitely make them this weekend, next week at the most!
Ana
Ana
oh my goodness! I was just about to make oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and wanted a recipe! I thought about using the one under the lid of the quaker container, but wanted to check online first! I'll be bookmarking your site (if you don't mind)! Thanks so much! I'm so craving this right now!!
Nice! I have extra appreciation for recipes that have straight-forward quantities, 1 cup this, 1 teaspoon that, notice that there's only one fraction in the whole ingredient list!
In my experience, if you've got so-so baking sheets (and even some pricey ones aren't all that great, unfortunately), parchment really improves the results for cookies.
In my experience, if you've got so-so baking sheets (and even some pricey ones aren't all that great, unfortunately), parchment really improves the results for cookies.
Oh my goodness, I think I've died and gone to cookie heaven! Nic, those look gorgeous, not to mention delicious!
These cookies look great - one of my favorites (though I prefer raisins, so I'll use that substitution).
Nic, have you used a Sil-Pat and, if so, how would you compare it to parchment? I use a Sil-Pat primarily for expediency (if I rely on parchment, it seems that I am always out when I need it). The Sil-Pat is (obviously) more expensive upfront to buy a Sil-Pat, but it can be used for years.
Nic, have you used a Sil-Pat and, if so, how would you compare it to parchment? I use a Sil-Pat primarily for expediency (if I rely on parchment, it seems that I am always out when I need it). The Sil-Pat is (obviously) more expensive upfront to buy a Sil-Pat, but it can be used for years.
Thanks for posting this recipe. I made a half batch this afternoon, and they smell amazing!
http://talesfromaveggiekitchen.blogspot.com/2006/08/another-night-on-town.html
http://talesfromaveggiekitchen.blogspot.com/2006/08/another-night-on-town.html
These are the best oatmeal cookies I have ever tasted! Made a batch tonight and family loves them.
Thanks for the recipe
Thanks for the recipe
Hey Nic, I thought id share with you what i've done.
http://cookingismypassion.blogspot.com/2006/08/marshmallow-oatmeal-cookies.html
THey were absolutely delicious! Great find! thanks for sharing :)
http://cookingismypassion.blogspot.com/2006/08/marshmallow-oatmeal-cookies.html
THey were absolutely delicious! Great find! thanks for sharing :)
I was just about to make "regular" chocolate chip cookies but think I'll switch to these now for a nice change.
One recommendation I've heard but have yet to try is using chocolate covered raisins in oatmeal cookies (the best of both worlds, I suppose). These recipe seems like it would be a wonderful test case for such a substitution.
Also, for your reader who asked, I know that ever since I started using the smaller-sized ice cream scoops (available at stores like Williams-Sonoma) to deposit my cookies on the tray, I've solved the odd-shapes and sizes issue. I consider them one of my best kitchen tool investments.
Lovely blog and recipes -- Cheers!
One recommendation I've heard but have yet to try is using chocolate covered raisins in oatmeal cookies (the best of both worlds, I suppose). These recipe seems like it would be a wonderful test case for such a substitution.
Also, for your reader who asked, I know that ever since I started using the smaller-sized ice cream scoops (available at stores like Williams-Sonoma) to deposit my cookies on the tray, I've solved the odd-shapes and sizes issue. I consider them one of my best kitchen tool investments.
Lovely blog and recipes -- Cheers!
I have that book! I loved reading it and had always hoped to visit the restaurant some day. I guess it's gone now. Anyway, I've only ever made one recipe from the book (Siamese Chicken Curry with Broccoli and Peanuts - fantastic!), so I've never tried the cookies. Thanks for the recommendation Nic, I'll have to try them real soon!
I was wrong - the Frog Commissary lives! I may yet get a chance to visit!
When I saw the title of your post, my first thought was, "the best oatmeal chocolate chop cookies were from the Frog Commissary". I grew up in Philly and actually was an employee of the Frog Comissary market. These are the best!
, at 9:27 AM
Hi! This is my first time to comment and I must say I really, really love your site! I love baking, but I still have a looong way to go to attain picture perfect cakes, cookies, etc. I've made these cookies 4-5 times and while they really taste great, mine does not seem to hold together. They kind of break easily. What do you think I did wrong? I use half butter and half margarine and I even extended the baking time.
, at 1:26 AM
Anyone who can supply as delicious a cookie recipe as this one has my readsrship for life!
I've used this recipe for so many years, my friends all call them Mindy's cookies! I memorized it when my kids were little and could throw them together in just minutes!
They're great with any combo...white choc. w/macadamia nuts, coconut with almonds, half dipped in choc. mmmmmmmm!
They're great with any combo...white choc. w/macadamia nuts, coconut with almonds, half dipped in choc. mmmmmmmm!
Awesome recipe! Made it for my kids but just munched 4 myself. :)
These are the best cookies! I couldn't believe how yummy they were. However I used milk chocolate chunks, so I added 1 1/2 cup of sugar instead, since I thought it would become too sweet. Extremely satisfying! Thanks for the recipe
Just made these cookies with pecans, almonds chocolate and dried cranberry. they are delicious.
This is the very same way my Mom made chocolate chip cookies, only she added a hint of cinnamon. Excellent cookies! Thanks for posting this.
Oh my goodness! I just made a HUGE batch of these cookies and added semi-sweet chip and the Nestle swirl chips and delicious! My son isn't much of a cookie eater and he LOVES these! Great recipe. Will use again and again. Thanks.
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Ahhhh....I am in heaven. I just popped one of these little beauties in my mouth. I love to bake and have baked hundreds of cookies and many different recipes. This one is great. I love the combination of crispy and chewy. Perfection. I will be sure to bookmark this recipe. Thanks!
these cookies were the most awkward disgusting cookies I have ever made.
They ran thin, the recipe didn't have enough flour and then the next batch crumbled. Horrible. DON'T MAKE THESE!!!!! THEY ARE A WASTE OF TIME TO EVEN MAKE!!!!! SOOOO DISAPPOINTING
They ran thin, the recipe didn't have enough flour and then the next batch crumbled. Horrible. DON'T MAKE THESE!!!!! THEY ARE A WASTE OF TIME TO EVEN MAKE!!!!! SOOOO DISAPPOINTING
This post has been removed by the author.
I found this recipe yesterday and made these cookies last night. Some people might classify me as "challenged" in the kitchen, but I was able to make these with no problems. Not only are these cookies delicious and chewy, but they look beautiful! Thanks!
These are my new favorite cookie. I used margerine instead of butter and also the extra large semi-sweet chips. the cookies yielded 5 dozen. They were perfect. I used a silpat instead of parchment. My family and friends are all nuts over these. Thanks!
I had to try these cookies again a second time, first time they ran very thin so I altered it a bit. Instead of two eggs I added just one and I added a little bit less flour than mentioned.
but in the end , they were great :D
but in the end , they were great :D
These were the most amazing cookies i have ever tasted! My husband begged me not to make more bc hes on a diet and they are irresistable!
It's odd, I made them this afternoon and they burnt to a crisp at ten minutes! I have plenty of dough left to work on that, but somehow I doubt that half will even make it to the oven (my family and I have a horrible habit of eating cookie dough).
The dough smelled (and tasted) delicious!
The dough smelled (and tasted) delicious!
I have to say that I made this dough two days ago and they are *the best* oatmeal chocolate chip cookies - hands down! I gave some to my grandmother-in-law, the doctor who is currently doing my prenatal care, and then made the rest for me and the family (husband and son) and I've heard nothing but raves. I made them *exactly* like the recipe states to, all by hand (no mixer) and they came out perfectly delicious!
Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks for the recipe!
wow i cant wait to try your recipe, thank you so much for sharing! you're an angel. I really need this recipe because a close friend of mine is asking me to bake an oatmeal cookies and imagine we're both an HRIM graduates. =)
-deedee philippines
-deedee philippines
This post has been removed by the author.
This post has been removed by the author.
I just made these using 1/2 all purpose flour and 1/2 whole wheat (I'm trying to sneak in healthy stuff wherever I can) and they came out really yummy. My dough was nowhere near thin...not sure what went wrong for some of you other folks? Anyway, I like them! Oh, and my kids say "thanks!"
I made these! although I used Smart Balance instead of butter, cut out the baking soda (I didn't have any), and substituted one cup whole wheat flour for one cup of regular- They were delish! (I'm eating one right now) I had to bake them a little longer then directed, that could be my old oven though. Thanks so much, and keep up the good work! :-)
i just made 'em and the whole family says they are "YUMMY"!








