Presidential Cookies

Yankee Magazine had a very interesting cooking section in their December 2007 issue.  They asked all the American presidential candidates for their favorite cookie recipe and had a bake-off.  It didn’t turn out to be an accurate predicter of the race (Bill Richardson’s recipe won), but it is a fun place to find cookie recipes.  I’ve tried Hillary Clinton’s recipe modified slightly, and the cookies were delicious!

Here’s the link to the online version with recipes from all the candidates:
http://www.yankeemagazine.com/cookieprimary/index.php

Hillary Clinton’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup shortening (I use an equal amount of unsalted butter warmed to room temperature)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (when we’re out of vanilla, we substitute 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg for an equally tasty, but spicier cookie)
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups rolled oats (I add the oats at the end, and add as many oats as the dough will support, usually slightly over 2 cups)
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or 2 regular size chocolate bars of your choice, roughly chopped.  I used one with toffee bits, and the cookies were lovely)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Rub a bit of butter on the baking sheet.  Usually the amount that sticks on the wrapper is enough. Cream together shortening, sugars and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and beat until light and fluffy.

Gradually beat in flour, salt and baking soda. Stir in rolled oats and then chocolate chips. Drop batter by rounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden. Cool cookies on sheets for 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

-Emma