The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies ( & TOADSTOOLS? )

My mom makes these cookies and they are my children's FAVOURITE treat.

I think it's the oatmeal and the hint of cinnamon that makes them so good. I like them a tad crispy, but regardless, they will not be wafer think cookies. They are stout and round and no-doubt, so am I after about 6 in my tummy.

OMA'S OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

½ pound (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt (optional)

3 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)

1 cup chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350℉. 

Beat together margarine and sugars until creamy.

Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.

Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well.

Stir in oats and chocolate chips; mix well.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto un-greased cookie sheet.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack.

Makes about 4 dozen.

VARIATIONS:

For High Altitude:  increase flour to 1 ¾ cups.

Bar Cookies:  Bake 30 - 35 minutes in un-greased 13 x 9-inch metal baking pan.

These freeze well too.

These are the plates my mom had, on which we placed the cookies on as shown above.
The call it the "Champignons Plate":

10.25" dinner plate from Anthropologie, here

These Stoneware plates are made by the Parisian artist Nathalie Lete, and show these fantastical mushrooms in the French Countryside. The blue lines and dots on the fluted edges just add to the charm.

Although these plates are called Champignons at Anthropologie, the more technical name for the Toadstool is Fly Agaric, or if you are REALLY technical, Amanita Muscaria. I think somewhere in all of our childhoods we have seen these in books, cartoons, even toys. Just by looking at them it evokes a sense of fairy-tale, and are often seen with gnomes. Over the last 3 years, I have collected these other images of the Toadstool Mushroom, and now is the perfect time to let these little guys get center stage.
Well, honestly, the cookies get center stage. But these come a close second.

via lepista/flickr

via lepista/flickr

via Aviruthia/flickr

HAPPY NEW YEAR

madewithlovebyhannah/flickr

via *amber e*/flickr 

lilfishstudio/flickr

toadstool doorstops/madewithlovebyhannah/flickr

moline (up again, enjoying autumn)/flickr

Anthropologie

madewithlovebyhannah/flickr 

8X8 PAINTING
via kelbug/flickr  

madewithlovebyhannah/flickr 

antique book from utrect/happymeat/flickr

THIS IS A CAKE!!
via Cake Star/flickr 

via TM - the crocheteer!/flickr

dolls named mira and maga from Revoluzzza/flickr 

baby toy Malou from Revoluzzza-toy/flickr

A great collection of old German ornaments, sent to me and owned by the stylish Road to Parnassus

IT IS REALLY INTERESTING TO READ THE HISTORY AND DETAILS OF THIS HISTORICAL AND HALLUCINOGENIC MUSHROOM.

To read more about it, like its religious significance, habitat, toxicity, uses in Siberia and with the Vikings and Christians, usage in food, literature, and Christmas decorations ... visit here.

via mattberry/flickr