It's Snowing... Let's Bake Cookies!

So, it's snowing outside.

It's snowing a crap ton.

Apparently, the Farmer's Almanac was right about that winter storm headed our way this month. We laughed in the face of winter, "ha ha! It's 40 degrees outside!" and we celebrated by leaving our coats in the car (yep, it hits 40 and it's like spring!). 24 hours later, we're blanketed with snow. Two days later, and it's still falling. I couldn't tell you how many inches we're at.

The good ol' Midwest always keeps you on your toes, I suppose.

So anyway, what to do when you're trapped inside the house? Bake!

The first recipe is for your nostaglia-filled no-bake cookies. I remember standing on a chair and making these over the stove. This recipe was also my cookie of choice when I was broke but had the um, munchies, and *needed* some cookies. There's lots of different variations out there, but I've come to notice two main things about the recipes you find: they don't have enough oats and they don't cook the sugar long enough. This recipe has accounted for both of those problems. Also, you can use either quick or old-fashioned oats. Most people use quick, but I like the texture of the old-fashioned (and I think most health-conscious people tend to have the latter hanging around). I also like rice krispies in mine as well because they make the cookie kind of chewy. Sometimes I add coconut. You know... just whatever.

The second recipe is for my famous Oatmeal-Raisin-Walnut Cookie. My bestie loves these. We don't make these very often (because most people are prejudiced against raisins), but they're totally awesome. They have great flavor and texture, and are chewy and moist. I once sent her a package of these to her for her birthday. I was here in the midwest, she was in Cali, and they arrived delicious and in perfect condition (or so I was told, lol). And they don't taste banana-y... just sayin'.

So yeah, try one of these obviously oatmeal-themed recipes!

Old-Fashioned No-Bakes:
1 stick of buttery Earth Balance (1/2 c.)
2 c. sugar
1/3 c. cocoa
1/2 c. soymilk
1/2 c. peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. oats
1 1/2 c. rice krispies

1. Melt the Earth Balance, sugar, cocoa, and soymilk over medium-high heat.
2. Once it comes to a boil, let it cook 2-3 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and quickly stir in peanut butter.
4. Add vanilla, oats, and rice krispies. Stir well and drop on a sheet of parchment/waxed paper.
5. Let cool, then enjoy!


Oatmeal-Raisin-Walnut Cookies:
1/2 c. Turbinado sugar
1/2 c. real maple syrup
1/3 c. oil
1 banana, mashed well
1-1 1/4 c. unbleached flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. rolled oats
1/2 c. raisins
3/4 c. walnuts, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mix together the sugar, syrup, oil, banana, and vanilla.
3. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and mix well.
4. Sitr in oats, raisins, and walnuts.
5. Drop by rounded tablespoon (that's right, tablespoon, bwahaha!!) onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake 10-15 minutes.
6. Let cool on cookie sheet 1 minute, then remove to a plate/wire rack. Enjoy!