Accidental Hedonist

For the past four election cycles, Family Circle (warning, their site is not mozilla/netscape compatible) has run a contest/election which determines the best cookie recipe submitted by each candidates wife (or more honestly, the staff of each candidates wife… I mean really, do you think that either Teresa Heinz-Kerry or Laura Bush is in the kitchen, thinking “Hmmm… this needs walnuts.. more walnuts!”).

So here’s Laura Bush’s submission. Something called Oatmeal-Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

• 3/4 cups (1 1/2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cups light-brown sugar
• 2 medium eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups quick oats
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chunks (or chocolate chips)
• 1 cup coarsely chopped dried sour cherries

Heat oven to 350°. With electric mixer, cream butter and both sugars. Beat in eggs one at a time, then beat in vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and oats; slowly beat until blended. Stir in walnuts, chocolate and cherries. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake at 350° for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Makes about 4 dozen.