Saturday 29 May 2010

Can you bake me some cookies?

It is rather unusual that blogging and baking were excluded from my daily activities for the past few weeks.

Besides all the tasks that a stay-at-home-mum got to do, I was preoccupied with a home-based job assignment (nothing to do with baking). After the assignment was completed, I spent the following week chasing after a Korean drama, 'Beethoven Virus' with my two boys. It was an instant hook for the three of us. We let ourselves being led into the world of classical music by the lead character Kang mae(maestro in short). For the whole week, we were so obsessed with the drama that we spent all our free time glued to the tv set. After watching the entire drama, we found ourselves spending time watching live orchestral performances on youtube! It also sent my elder child searching the internet for music scores, so that he could attempt to play to the melody of Beethoven Symphony no 5, Morricone's Nella Fantasia (better known as Gabriel's Oboe), and their favourite William Tell Overture by Rossini (thanks to this 'The Mom Song', a must see for all mothers!). Even my younger child is able to hum to the tune of Piazzola's Libertango, and he kept singing to the catchy melody of Radetzky March by Strauss; while I had Gabriel's Oboe ringing in my head for days! In case you are wondering, no, you don't need to have any music background to enjoy this drama! I know nothing about music and yet I was able to enjoy the music pieces as much as the brilliant plot, and of course the flawless performance by the male lead...who has won 6 awards for playing this role.

Well, that pretty much sums up my absence from the blogging world :) Just like the Chinese saying "山中方一日,人间已千年" (literally translated as: after spending one day in the mountain, one discovers that a thousand years has already gone past in the real world), things happen so fast in the cyberspace that being away for just one day is as though I'm a thousand years behind! I sure have lots of blog hopping to catch up!


I believe I would not have returned to blogging much earlier if not for this little request from my younger boy.

While we were sharing a quiet moment together, reading on our bed, he turned to me, at the same time, executing his puppydog eyes (one of his best weapons to get his way) and asked, "Mama, can you bake some cookies for me? There are no more cookies left." His request became my obligation right away. I promised I would make him those oatmeal cookies again.


If you happen to be a frequent visitor to my blog, I wonder whether you have noticed that I seldom strongly recommends a particular recipe that I have attempted. Taste is something so subjective that one man's meat is another man's poison, as such, unless it is something truly awesome, most of the time, I would rather leave it to readers to try out the recipe themselves. However, for these cookies, they are so so good that I can't help but to shout out loud that this is a must-try or at least put it down in your to-do list.


Just take a look at the ingredients list, I am sure you will be sold. These cookies are made with not-too-much butter, low sugar amount, half portion flour, half portion oatmeal (also known as rolled oats, I used baby oats, which are slighter smaller), walnuts, chocolate and chocolate chips. What a good balance of healthy and not-so-healthy ingredients ;) It certainly makes me feel that it is not a sinful thing to pop one cookie after another into my mouth. These cookies belong to the category of crisp on the outside and soft inside texture. Not only are they full of flavour, they have got stupendously good texture, thanks to the various ingredients. Plus, much to my delight, these cookies only have a slight chew to it as I have yet to acquire the taste of chewy, oatmeal cookies. I didn't get to find time to take photos when the cookies were made...two days later, I was left with only 4 to 'work on'. Even if I have failed to inspire you to rush to the kitchen to bake a batch right away, I hope you would be able to enjoy them from your screen right now :)



Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:
(makes about 25~28 cookies)

90g butter, softened at room temperature
25g caster sugar
25g brown sugar
1 egg (weights about 60g with shell), lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
100g plain flour
100g oatmeal or roll oats (I used organic instant baby oat)
20g dark (semi-sweet) chocolate, finely chopped
50g walnuts, chopped
60g mini chocolate chips

Method:
  1. Preheat oven to 190degC. Line baking trays with parchment paper.
  2. With a manual whisk, cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until the mixture turns pale and fluffy.
  3. Dribble in the egg gradually. Mix well after each addition. Add in salt and vanilla extract, mix to incorporate into the batter.
  4. Sift the flour over the batter, fold in with a spatula.
  5. Add oatmeal, chopped chocolate, walnuts and mini chocolate chips. Mix well with the spatula.
  6. Drop tablespoonfuls of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking tray. Leave some space between the cookies to allow for spreading. Flatten each cookie dough slightly with the back of a fork, keeping the shape as even as possible.
  7. Bake for 8~10 mins or until golden. If necessary, rotate the baking tray halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in air-tight containers.

    Recipe source: adapted from 好想为你亲手做出美味的甜点! 检见崎聡美

66 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love Beethoven Virus too ^^. Those cookies do look awfully good.....

Kitchen Corner said...

Hi HHB,
I miss your blog so much! Although you've not here for some times ago but I do came here often to read your previous baking. I've been quite slow in blogging recently. may be your presence will give me some inspiration :) This cookie recipe looks good, with a bit of goodness and less butter. I like to make cookies to give away and this would be a good one for me to try. Thanks for sharing! I believe that your boy will definitely enjoy it. Cheers!

Just My Delicious said...

these cookies looks so crispy and delicious!

grub said...

HHB, can you bake me cookies instead? :)

tracieMoo said...

they look very convincing and I would most probably finish up my quick cooking oats making these cookies :)

Bakericious said...

HHB, finally saw ur post after 2 weeks, miss u a lot :) the cookies look yummy, i wil bake some for my daughter too, thanks.

Edith said...

HHB, I am sold by your cookies. Going to make some next week.

BTW, where to get those music scores?

Quinn said...

Okay, bookmarked! Thanks! If you say it's good, it has to be good! Now all I am missing is chocolate chips! I used to do what your son did a lot when I was young because of my big eyes. When I want something badly or I don't get what I want, I rolled my eyes wide open and purse my lips up and I always get it instantly!!!

may said...

so good to have you back :) I rarely bake cookies but since this is highly recommended by you, i must give it a try!

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Oatmeal cookies are also a family favorite for us. Somehow the chewy texture and chocolate chips are quite addictive. :) Will try out your recipe when I want to bake cookies for my family again, thanks for sharing this. :)

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

Since you strongly recommended this cookie, ok, immediate bookmark, will try this very very soon. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Happy Home Baking...
These cookies look absolutely wonderful (just like the rest of your bakings) Just one small question: Is it possible to substitute the hazelnuts with almonds, as I am not too fond of the hazelnut-chocolate combination.

Happy Homebaker said...

Thanks Grace for taking the time to read my old posts, I really appreciate your support and encouragement :)

Hi Grub, sure, just leave me your mailing address and I will send some over :D

Hi Jess, thanks for your kind words, I never thought that anyone would miss my blog ^_^'

Hi Edith, you can try this site here: (http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/scorchVPE.asp?ppn=sc0095532)

Hi Quinn, my kid has got small eyes (just like the parents! lolz!) but he still gets away with his trick.

Hi May, I got a feeling you would like them :):)

Hi BeeBee, I am the only one in my family who doesn't like chewy cookies ;p

Sonia, hope you will like them!

Hi Anonymous, I didn't use hazelnuts, I used walnuts. The original recipe calls for cashew nuts. I am sure you can try with almonds.

Anonymous said...

Hi,I get to konw your blog recently while searching some cookies recipes to bake for my girls. Your blog is so informative.As I hardly bake so I am not very sure about the ingredients.Perhaps, you can share with me what is the brand of brown sugar and mini chocolate chips can be used so that I can do my shopping easiy. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Overlooked one more ingredient i.e. dark (semi-sweet) chocolate. Where can I get it and what is brand? Thank you!

Angie's Recipes said...

These cookies....wowed....wowed....look perfectly perfect! Excellent click! You have caught the soul of these cookies.

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi Anonymous 1, 2,
here are the brands of ingredients I used:
1. mini chocolate chips - Hershey's MINICHIPS Semi-Sweet Chocolates
2. Brown sugar - SIS light brown sugar
3. Dark chocolate - I usually use Carrefour's house brand, Dessert Chocolates. Hershey's baking chocolates are also easily available from ntuc or cold storage.

Thanks Angie :D

sherlyn said...

Dear HHB ..

The cookies look perfect and I think I shd find a time to bake with the kids.
May I ask if it is possible to replace the mini chocolates with chocolate rice?
When you say mix in the egg, do u mean just stiring in? or use mixer in low speed? (getting lazy with hand).
For rolled oats, can my quaker instant oat (the red packets one) do?
Thanks for answering the questions in advance.

Happy Homebaker said...

hi sherlyn, you should mix/whisk the egg with the mixer, sorry I am not sure about the speed though as I used a manual whisk (so does the original recipe). I would not advise that you replace it with chocolate rice, do use mini chocolate chips. Yes, you can use your instant oat.

Anonymous said...

Thhanks for your info. Will go shopping for the ingredients later :). Will the taste be the same if I used either one of them: chocolate chips or Dark chocolate in total of 80 gram?

Anonymous said...

Loved 'Beethoven Virus' so much I watched it 3 times over, plus 'Gabriel's Oboe' as well. Great music, that one too.

Lara said...

Hi, I think i have almost read every post on your side and tried quite a few. The Milk Loaf in particular ROCKS!! Its a staple in my home:)) These cookies look divine & i intend trying them today itself! I am an avid baker like you and if I haven't used the oven once a day - i feel i haven't lived...lol..........Lara

Wen-Chi said...

Oatmeal cookies are great for ice cream sandwiches.. perfect w/ cinnamon ice cream (of which, I made)!

sherlyn said...

Thank you for your prompt reply ... ok will go get mini chocolate chips. :)

Anonymous said...

I tried your Chocolate chip cookies as my first attempt though the ingredients and steps are more easily. The cookies spread a bit but overall taste yummy. My girls love it so much. Just to confirm with you, when the butter and sugar mixture turn pale & fluffy, the sugar still not dissolved completely as I can feel the sugar in the mixture. Do I need to mix till the sugar is completely dissolved before adding the egg? My small conventional microware oven cannot bake the cookies at one go. I left my remaining dough in the fridge but not sure why the second batch cookies is harder not as good as the first batch (second bath was baked after one hour of the first batch), How should I keep the remaining dough? Thanks for your advice.

Gabriel said...

Looks delicious! I like to try and compare chocolate chips and black chocolate with this recipe. I love baking!

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi Anonymous, I am sorry I do not know whether it will affect the taste, but do stick to the recipe in order to yield satisfactory result.

Hi cookwithnobooks, if I can find time, I would like to watch it again :)

Lara, thanks so much for reading all my post :)

Hi Anonymous, the mixture will appear a little grainy because of the undissolved sugar, you do not need to beat until the sugar melts completely, as the butter would have melted too much (especially in our hot weather) and the mixture will become greasy which will cause the cookies to spread. The important thing is to make sure the butter-sugar mixture is light, pale yellow, and fluffy (as you whisk it with a manual whisk, it will create a subtle 'flop' 'flop' sound, hope you know what I mean). Also, make sure you use caster sugar which will dissolve faster.

I have a very small oven too. I need to bake them in two batches. Usually for drop cookies, I simply leave the second batch at room temperature, unless the weather is terribly warm. I baked the second batch right away when the first batch is done. Both batches yield the same result. I'm sorry I don't know why yours turn out harder...but I suspect, maybe you have over baked them a little, since they are kept cold in the fridge, it may take a longer time for the dough to cook/brown? Maybe next time, you can bring the dough back to room temperature (say leave it for 5-10mins) before baking. Hope this helps.

Anonymous said...

I really appreciate your detail explanation.
Do you think I can use icing sugar instead of caster sugar in order for the sugar to melt faster? Or it must specially use caster sugar for the purpose?
You are right; I added one more minute for the second batch baking. Now I know where has gone wrong. Hopefully, I can improve the result in my next attempt :)

Happy Homebaker said...

hi, no, please don't use icing sugar if the recipe calls for caster sugar. Use of different types of sugar in different recipes has got it's purpose. You may want to read up more on sugar at this site: http://www.joyofbaking.com/sugar.html

Missy said...

its so sweet to spend quality time with your boys and i think thats the most wonderful thing you can do with your kids. and of course, blogging can wait :)

im a health freak and im def gona try ur recipe. tks for sharing HHB

Lara said...

Hi HHB, I have a question regarding the Strawberry Jelly Cheesecake recipe - you mentioned adding 1 cup of hot water & one cup of cold water to the jelly crystals and then pouring over the cheesecake - but won't the warmth of the mixture effect the texture of the cheesecake. Would appreciate if u could revert on this as cream cheese is very very expensive in my country. - Thanks - Lara

Pei-Lin said...

HHB, thank you for the recipe! I love my food with more fiber, too. I'm starting to buy organic ingredients now, and even unbleached flours.

Oh, how I wish I'd have someone giving me that misty "puppy" eyes to have me cook and bake for him/her ... Hahaha! You're one good mom!

Passionate About Baking said...

This looks really good HHB! I must really try it. You're right, I almost wanted to reach out and grab from screen. It's like yelling out to eat it! Thanks for sharing this recipe.

martina said...

Glad you're back. I missed you and your family stories! These look tempting, so I'll give them a go. Thanks cheers Martina

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi Lara, you can leave the jelly crystal solution to cool off before adding to the cheesecake layer.

Anonymous said...

Hi, Thanks for your useful link for sugar. I read your old post about the fried rice. Can you share how to cook such a nice fried rice like yours (粒粒分明)?. Did you use brasmati rice or store the cooked plain rice in the fridge over night before frying?

Between, do you have nice waffle recipe (to serve with ice cream) that can share with me? I would like to made it for my girls' coming birthday. Thanks. From JJ

susanna said...

Thx for sharing!! I've been looking for cookie recipes with low sugar amount and without a need for an electric blender or mixer (since I don't have one). I will surely give this one a try~

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi JJ, I did not use balsamic rice or keep the rice in the fridge. I just cook the rice an hr earlier, left it in the rice cooker. I do not have any tips to offer, as I am really a lousy cook! but maybe, it is because I fry the rice at high heat??
I am sorry I do not have any waffle recipe to share.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your reply. I think is must be your experience. I hope I can achieve this kind of standard fried rice in one day :) From JJ

KWF said...

HHB, I have disappeared for a long time from baking & blogging. But you've inspired me to do these. Will be getting the ing later. ;)

Ola. said...

Looking great! I will tray this!

Lara said...

Hi JJ, I have 2 really nice waffle recipes, one being the traditional Belgian Waffles and one being the Thai Waffles with toppings which you get at the Skytrain stops in Bangkok. I can share them with you if you wish.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lara,
I really appreciate your efforts. May I know how can I get the recipe from you? via email? or ???
Once again, thanks for sharing.

From JJ

Lara said...

Hi HHB, Thanks for your tip on the Jelly Cheesecake, I will be making it over the weekend. I tried the Oatmeal Cookies today. They are simply OUTSTANDING 5 STARS*****. I ate 4 at a go - Greedy Me..............:))

Lara said...

Hi JJ, pls send me ur email and I will send you the 2 recipes of the waffles:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Lara,

my email liew_joyce@yahoo.com

Tks,

JJ

Passionate About Baking said...

Thanks HHB! I made this the other day and it was really good. I didn't hesitate to make 2x the recipe. Everyone who tasted it liked it very much! It's truly a healthy and easy recipe. It'll be a keeper recipe for me. Thank you so much for sharing!

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi Jane, I am so glad to hear that you like these cookies :):)

The experimental cook said...

I like the look of the seductive looking cookies. Gonna make some after dinner later !

Sally said...

Hi HHB,
Thanks for sharing this great recipe.
I baked 2 batches last week and it was a hit!
Posted it in my blog http://the-homemaker.blogspot.com/2010/06/chocolate-oatmeal-cookies.html

Sabbymum said...

Hi

I am defintely going to give this cookie recipe a try too. I did make a batch of your drop cookies but found it rather dense and abit chewy. Maybe the butter was not cold enough or maybe the cookie was too large, but it lack cripiness. Any idea?

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi Sabbymum, I am not sure what went wrong with your drop cookies, but maybe they were dense because of the baking time/temperature? for a crisp texture, cookies can be baked slightly longer.

Jane said...

These cookies look divine & i intend trying them today itself! I am an avid baker like you and if I haven't used the oven once a day - i feel i haven't lived. thanx for sharing.

Katie said...

I'm going to bake that oatmeal cookie for my lil boy too..I'm sure he will love it since he loves cookies very much. Thanks a lot!

Christy said...

Well, I think that the most wonderful thing you can do with your kids. and of course, blogging can wait, looking forward.

Jennifer said...

The are my new favorite cookie -- they are simply awesome!!! I did omit the cinnamon (I didn't think it would go well with chocolate - my personal preference) and also used mini chocolate chips. I also added a bit more cocoa. YUM!!!

KWF said...

HHB, I'm going to attempt these cookies as Teacher's Day gifts. Gosh! I'll probably be baking a lot of them.

BTW, if you like BV, try to catch Nodame Cantabile (J drama), also on classical music. I got hooked on the pieces after the show. ^_-

Anonymous said...

Hi HHB,

I'm new to baking cookies. Can I ask which rack do you use in the oven to bake the cookies and what do mean by rotate the tray?

Thanks, Shaine

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi Shaine, if I am using one tray to bake, I will position it so that the tray is in the middle of the oven. To rotate the tray means, to take the tray out, turn it 180 degree so that the side that was at the rear of the oven becomes the front. Hope you know what I mean? The purpose is to make sure all the cookies are evenly browned as some ovens has got hotspots (some spots in the oven hotter). It is not necessary to do so if your oven can brown all the cookies evenly.

Anonymous said...

Hi HHB, the cookies taste delicious but I have a question. Do you know why my cookies are still soft after baking for 15mins?

Vinitha said...

Hi HHB!!! A delicious cookie recipe....thanks for sharing :-) Just popped one batch out of the oven and another is baking away. Tastes great....one question though the dough was not 'dropable' it was dense. I could actually make balls out of it and flatten on the tray. Is that the way it should be?? Thanks :)

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi Anonymous, not sure what went wrong, but I suspect it could be the oven temperature? Did you preheat to the right temperature? Do you use an oven thermometer to check that the temperature is correct? maybe you can extend the baking time by a couple more mins?

Hi Vinitha, yes, the cookie dough it suppose to be quite dense...not too wet and runny.

Anonymous said...

hi, i made this but without the chocolate and nuts. and it came back quite nicely. But i personally would reommend putting 20g of brown sugar and 20g of caster sugar instead as i did as it came back just the right amount of sweetness. i think that if i added more it was a bit too sweet, especially if i were to add chocolate too though.

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi, thanks for sharing your experience :):) I used dark semi sweet chocolate chips and the taste is quite balanced. I would take your suggestion to cut down the sugar if I am using sweeter chocolate. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

This is the first baking source which I read that uses the reasonable amount of sugar!!! Since I dont like things TOO sweet, I always have to reduce sugar from the recipe and always have that fear if I didn't damage the texture (or if I didnt reduce the sugar most of the time I think: it's delicious, just too sweet). Here seems that me and the blogger have same opinion about sugar. And I can bravely use the written amount of sugar as I know that the recipe was tested with it. And i want to thank you for that :)

Unknown said...

All your cookies look incredible and I'm so envious as to how you get them all the same size!! Haha mine come out an array of different shapes and sizes. X x