Some of you may remember me winning a cookie contest last year with my Toasted Oatmeal Cookies with Golden Raisins, Pecans and Coconut. It was pretty cool- got my picture in the paper (a boat-load of times!) and they now sell my cookies at a local bakery. Well, this year they asked me to come back as a judge- neat, huh? I got to judge cookies alongside some of DFW’s most prestigious bakers and bakery owners! Very cool! We tasted 7 different yummy cookies, and I came away with some great recipes to share with you! My favorite being these Oatmeal Cranberry Delights. These were the runner up (although they had my vote for 1st place!) and everyone really liked them. They’re slightly chewy, spicy, a little chocolaty and the cranberries and white chocolate add a whole other level of flavor! A perfect holiday cookie- they’re so pretty (and extremely easy to make!). I highly recommend these for your next Christmas party or cookie exchange!
Oatmeal Cranberry Delights
-adapted from Debbie Nicks, Joshua, TX (runner up of the Ft. Worth Star Telegram Very Merry Cookie Challenge 2010)
1 cup (2 sticks) butter (softened)
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups self rising flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 bag of dried cranberries (6 oz.)
1 cup grated milk chocolate bar
1/2 cup melted white almond bark
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla. Mix flour, oatmeal, salt and cinnamon together and add to butter mixture. Stir until ingredients are well mixed. Fold in pecans, crasins, and grated chocolate bar. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes, until golden brown. Move to cooling rack until completely cooled. Drizzle melted almond bark over cookies. Serve after almond bark has dried. Makes approximately 40 cookies.
2 Questions….
Would mini chocolate chips work just as well as grating a candy bar?
And I know this sounds silly but, how do you drizzle the melted bark over the cookies, with a fork?
[Reply]
amy Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Becky- you could definitely use mini chips, or even just chop your chocolate bar (like I did). As far as drizzling, you can use a spoon, fork or do like me and use a ziploc bag with the tip snipped off! Very simple! Enjoy!!!
[Reply]
Comment by becky — December 2, 2010 @ 4:23 PM
Perfect timing, Miss Amy! I have to bake for a church function this weekend, so I will make this my “trial” cookie run with this recipe, then I’m in a cookie baking competition on Dec. 13th 🙂
[Reply]
Comment by Emily — December 3, 2010 @ 1:50 PM
Emily- BEST of luck in your cookie contest!!
[Reply]
Comment by amy — December 3, 2010 @ 2:47 PM
Oh lordy!!! These cookies have delicious written all over them!
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Comment by Eliana — December 7, 2010 @ 2:32 PM
I have it on very good authority from a friend in Joshua that these are WONDERFUL. She ordered some for the holidays!
[Reply]
Comment by Mother — December 9, 2010 @ 12:26 PM
What kind of oatmeal? Quick cooking or regular?
Thanks!
[Reply]
amy Reply:
December 15th, 2013 at 2:00 PM
I use old fashioned oats (regular)
[Reply]
Comment by Julee — December 15, 2013 @ 10:28 AM
I have remarried since this blog was started but I am the one that made the cookies and was the runner up in the cookie contest. To elaborate on the question about using chocolate chips instead of a grated Hershey bar. You can do that but the Hershey bar gives the cookie its own unique taste. I was so honored when I saw this on this blog.
[Reply]
Comment by Debbie Deal — June 19, 2015 @ 2:31 PM