inconceivable!

Don't you hate when someone asks you to name your favorite cake, pie, cookie, or--gimme a break--dessert in general? I detest it. To me, that's like asking a mother to name her favorite child--completely absurd and impossible to do.


Not only do I strive to be an equal-opportunity eater of treats, but my tastes also change at least once a week. One day I may decide impossible coconut pie is the best dessert ever simply because I'm eating a sliver slab of it at the time, but the next day, as I snack on some apple dapple cake, I might convince myself that nothing can compare to it.

It's futile to even attempt to name my favorite cookie, but one that's always high on the list is the good ol' oatmeal scotchie. These bad boys are chewy and hearty and packed with sweet, rich butterscotch morsels (which, incidentally, taste nothing like butterscotch to me)(clearly, I don't mind).

You don't often see many deviations from Nestle's classic recipe, but when I came across a version including a bit of coconut, I got pretty excited. How excited? Perhaps the equivalent of brushing past Bruce Springsteen in the street. Okay, maybe not that excited. Let's say the equivalent of seeing Bruce Springsteen from afar.

Anyway, my excitement was warranted because the addition of coconut (I added flakes and a bit of extract) made these palatable pucks even better. Other changes? I increased the cinnamon and baked the batter in pie plates. Fun!

This is totally my favorite type cookie. For today.


So, in the name of hypocrisy, what's your favorite cookie? In the same vein, mothers, do you have a favorite child? :)

Cocoatmeal Scotchies
(I have Nika to thank for the inspiration!)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
3 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
1 2/3 cups (11-oz. pkg.) butterscotch morsels
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch pie plates or a 15x10" jelly-roll pan.
Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a small bowl. In a larger bowl, beat together the butter, sugars, eggs, and extracts. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Stir in the oats, morsels, and coconut. Spread into the prepared pan(s) and bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until light brown. Keep your eye on them--'tis better to be a bit gooey than as hard as a rock!

For cookies:
Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets and bake for 7 to 8 minutes for chewy cookies or 9 to 10 minutes for crisp cookies. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.