Chewy oatmeal cookies with cranberries

I am visiting my niece soon so, decided to bake something with cranberries because that's her favourite. Moreover, I have extra oatmeal left on my kitchen top, so why not? I googled for recipe that has these 2 ingredients and tada! There are a lot of recipes online but I am used to Joyofbaking's.

This recipe is very easy with short preparation and baking time. However because of my oven space constraint, it became time-consuming as I have to bake them in a total of 3 batches.

Lemon-Poppy seeds muffin

Poppy seeds are usually customary in flavoured bread, cakes, rolls and cookies. They are essentially the oilseed derived from the poppy plant, however, these seeds do not contain the narcotic properties as the opium poppy, though the plant contains alkaloids like morphine, the ripe seeds used for bakery or culinary contain only traces which does not cause any form of addiction.

They give the following benefits:

1) They are effective in quenching thirst, fever, inflammation and constipation.

2) Supply our daily dose of minerals, such as, iodine, manganese, zinc, magnesium and copper.

3) The oil from the seed is useful in treating carcinoma as it contains monounsaturated fatty acids.

4) They contain linoleic acid that helps in preventing heart disorders.

This is my first time using poppy seeds. Very interested in trying poppy seeds recipe. Just nice for my girls meet-up tomorrow. Recipe adapted from MarthaStewart with some minor adjustment.

A little Christmas baking - Crunchy Chocolate chip cookies

Chocolate chip cookies

Have been wanting to bake chocolate chip cookies for the longest time. Finally baked this successfully on one fine day. First time baking cookies, turned out not bad. Quite proud of myself ;)

This recipe is very easy. However it's time-consuming as I have to bake them in batches due to my oven space constraint. I had no experience in baking cookies at all, so my first batch was awfully burnt. After 15 minutes of baking, I pressed the cookies and they were soft. Since it's my maiden try, I thought they were underbaked. I baked for another 5 minutes and they were all burnt! Then I realised, the cookies would first be soft first at high temperature, and then harden and as they cool down. Mystery solved!

The batches after that were great! Really a learning through experience. ;)

Recipe adapted from Joyofbaking with some minor adjustment.

Ingredients:

226g  unsalted butter, room temperature
100g  granulated white sugar
100g  brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
295g  all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
270g semisweet chocolate chips
100g chopped almonds (optional)

Steps:

1) Preheat oven to 200dC.

2) Line baking tray with parchment/baking paper.

3) In an electric mixer, beat the butter until smooth and creamy.

4) Add the white and brown sugar to the mixture and beat until fluffy.

5) Add the eggs into the mixture, one at a time.

6) Add in vanilla extract into the mixture and beat until incorporated.

7) Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl as needed.

8) In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. 

9) Add half of the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and beat until incorporated and then add the remaining.

10) About half way through mixing, add the chocolate chips and chopped almonds to the mixture. Note: If the dough is very soft, cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate until firm (from 30 minutes to 2 hours).

11) For large cookies, use about 2 tablespoons of dough or adjust according to your cookies size preference, and drop onto the prepared baking tray.

12) Bake at 200dC for 15 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Tips: Turn on your oven blower, if there is, for baking evenness. This only applies for cookies, and not for cakes.

13) Cool completely on wire rack.

In time for Christmas!

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28). In a world that is too much for us to bear alone, Christ has come to bring us into a relationship with Him and give us rest. 

Our soul finds rest when it rests in God. 

I wish that you all can find rest in Him. 

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Misho!

With you around, life seems easier 
With you around, I know what love is
With you around, I know how love feels
With you around, there is warmth
With you around, I won't feel afraid
With you around, I can be myself
With you around, hugs gave me courage
With you around, regrets became hope
With you around, I feel important
With you around, I feel pretty

<3 you, Tubby