Photo: Leigh Loftus
There are a few things in life that I consider highly unpleasant. Problems that I know, deep inside, are first world problems but that I will complain about nonetheless. I dislike visiting the Apple store for computer repairs. I dislike being late, even though I’m never on time for anything in my life. I dislike traffic, long lines and having to walk up and down five flights of stairs to do my laundry (or wait two extra minutes for the elevator).
I also dislike the month February. Actually, make that hate the month of February. I’ve never held such a grudge against a day, a week or a month as I do February when sometime in college it occurred to me that every year since I was 12, something unpleasant has happened in February.
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Now, logically I know I’m lucky that February’s unpleasantness has been relatively minor in the grand scheme of things: break-ups, arguments with friends, several consecutive 3 a.m. nights at work. Things that happen in life but for whatever reason, the universe doles them out in February.
What I do like about February is that it’s cold out and bulky sweaters cover up what we here in Chicago call “winter weight.” Bears aren’t the only mammal that prefer hibernation during the winter, anyone who lives in the 312 area code is also prone to rarely see the light of day from January until April.
These factors combined though, make for the perfect opportunity to bake. Because we’ll all have to emerge from our burrows eventually, baking with oatmeal, dark chocolate and whole wheat flour will soften the blow when it’s time to put that swim suit on.
Photo: Leigh Loftus
- 6 Tbs unsalted butter
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1½ cups old fashioned oatmeal
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup whole wheat flour
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup finely chopped pitted dates
- 3 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets (or line w/ parchment or silipats).
- Place butter in a medium, microwave-safe bowl. Melt in microwave, just until completely melted. Remove from microwave and add brown sugar. Stir until smooth.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, flours, baking soda & salt. Stir into butter sugar mixture along with egg, vanilla and dates. Fold in chopped chocolate and mix well.
- Drop Tablespoonfuls of the cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until they appear to be set and not gooey in the middles.
13 Comments
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kellieatsforfun
February 21, 2010 at 3:09 amSuper excited about your new blog! Good luck in your new enterprise 🙂
Liz - Meal Makeover Mom
February 8, 2010 at 9:42 pmCongrats on the new project. BTW, I love the addition of the dates in your cookies. They look soooo good!
Juliana
February 3, 2010 at 8:03 pmCongratulations on your new blog 🙂 Very exciting! The oatmeal cookies sure look yummie…the dates must add a nice flavor to it.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
February 3, 2010 at 7:48 pmI love the combination of chocolate and oatmeal. These cookies wouldn’t last long in my house.
KC
February 3, 2010 at 3:38 pmThose look delicious!! Congrats on the new blog and good luck!!
Lori @ RecipeGirl
February 3, 2010 at 1:35 pmYay! Glad you enjoyed them. I’m off to check out your new blog!
mandy
February 3, 2010 at 9:22 amThese cookies look delicious and I can’t wait to make them. I’m supposed to be snowed in this weekend so it could be a great snowy day baking venture.
I’m excited to follow along with your new blog venture. Even though I’m not from Chicago, I love reading about new finds in fun citites.
grace
February 3, 2010 at 8:47 amah, i also hate waiting. for anything. and the only thing i hate more than being late is when others are late and keep me waiting. 🙂
february hasn’t done anything to offend me yet, but i certainly hope it behaves itself for you this year. sounds like you’re off to a good start!
kat
February 3, 2010 at 8:39 amCongrats on the new blog
Kalyn
February 3, 2010 at 7:57 amCongratulations on the new writing gig! Even though I’m not from Chicago, I’m interested in the food scene there because my brother lived there so long that I’ve been to many of the long time Chicago restaurants.
Daryl Callahan
February 3, 2010 at 7:40 amCongratulations on your new venture!!! It is well deserved but try not to abandon us here in the Northeast who rely on many of your recipes!I got to work today and realized I forgot my pocketbook-so lets let that be the bad February issue and now look forward to all good things!!!Am gonna look awfully yucky all day without lipstick!