Monday 2 February 2009

Oatmeal and Chocolate Chip Cookies and lots of snow!!

The weather forecast predicted snow and boy did we get snow (the worst in 18yrs)!! It started last night and by 10pm we had over 6 inches of snow. My boys were out in the garden at that time having snow ball fights; I opted to watch them from the warm confines of the conservatory. I awoke during the night like an excited child to look out of the window and it was still snowing heavy. This morning we were greeted with over 14 inches of snow, a real winter wonderland. Unfortunately due to all this snow, London and southern England are in travel chaos and transport has come to a standstill and schools are closed. My hubby commutes to the city everyday and is having to work from home, as there are no trains running and we don’t even know if the trains will be up and running tomorrow, as there is more heavy snow on its way. I still haven’t braved it outside but instead decided to bake some Oatmeal and Chocolate Chip cookies which are already disappearing off the cooling rack!! These thick and chewy cookies are super quick to make and will be perfect with a cup of hot chocolate in this bitterly cold weather. The recipe comes courtesy of Rachel Allen’s Bake book.




Oatmeal and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients
110g (4oz) butter, softened
110g (4oz) caster sugar
110g (4oz) soft brown sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla extract
250g (9oz) porridge oats
110g (4oz) self-raising flour
1 level tsp salt
110g (4oz) chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 180oC (350oF), Gas Mark 4. Cream the butter in a large bowl or in an electric food mixer until soft. Add the sugars and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg, water and vanilla extract while still beating. Reduce the speed and gently mix in the oats, flour, salt and raisins to form a dough. Using your hands, roll the dough into walnut sized balls and place slightly apart on two baking trays. Bake in the oven for 12-25 minutes or until light golden brown but still slightly soft in the centre. Allow to cool on the trays for a minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool.


Snow pics of my garden.

15 comments:

Finla said...

Cookies look so yummy delicious.
We too are having snow today, it is full white outside.

Oh my! Apple pie! said...

Maria we've got snow up here in Scotland but not as much as you, thank goodness!
I'm with you on this one, much rather be in the kitchen than braving the cold, and those cookies look perfect.

Anonymous said...

Hi Maria-

I have your blog on my RSS feeds and have always enjoyed it, decided it was time for a comment! :-)

The cookies look really yummy and I've almost convinced myself to make some this afternoon thanks to your pics.

Here on the coast in Norfolk it's snowing, but slushy - I'm hoping for some of your nice white stuff to make it here!

Beth (jamandcream) said...

It's just started here - quite heavy - had to come home from work. Great cookies - Ive made them a few times.

Anonymous said...

These look great. Adding the oatmeal makes them healthier! It's been snowing a lot everywhere this year, I think, at least everywhere that snow happens. We've gotten an absolute ton.

Reeni said...

What a perfect treat for a snowy day!!! Sweet yumminess!!

Poornima Nair said...

Hi Maria...first time at your blog and I love it...great recipes and all the cakes and cookies look so yum...

Rosie said...

Hi Maria we have lots of snow here too in Lincolnshire. Oh give me a warm kitchen anytime than cold outside in snow!! Great looking cookies as always, any chance of passing one over?

Rosie x

Abitofafoodie said...

Mmm - these look wonderful. And I keep reading great recipes from this book - must get my hands on a copy! I've been baking today too - just what is needed when it is snowy outside.

Nickki said...

The cookies look so good Maria! We've had a little snow today, nothing like what you've had though! Perfect excuse to stay in and bake yummy treats like these cookies, I say :) Love the snowy pics :)

Maria said...

That is a lot of snow! I am craving cookies now!

Maggie said...

Lovely cookies from a really good baking book.
Here in the West Midlands we have had about four inches or so of snow. My daughter lives in Kent and yesterday had 14 inches of snow!

Anne said...

The cookies look delicious!

We have had about the same amount of snow, is good fun until you have to drive in to work! :)

Maria♥ said...

Thanks for all the lovely comments!

Welcome Kadeeae and Poornima and hope you will come back soon ;o)

Maria
x

Ivy said...

Lucky you, having all that snow. Perfect time for baking cookies.