Warm & Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'm feeling under the weather today with a myriad of allergy and sinus problems, in turn swimming in Kleenexs at this point.   I'm disappointed because we were going to have my family come over today (they live away, so it's always an exciting visit), but when I woke up with a pounding headache and trouble breathing I knew today wouldn't be a good day for that.  Unfortunately.  So we're going to try to make the visit happen next weekend!

I so enjoy when we have visitors.  Family or friends!  We love having loved ones over to our house while I fix a big meal or watch a movie with some homemade popcorn...or just whatever!  I have to admit that I'm generally a private person ( I don't just spill my problems to just anyone), but I still want our home to  have an open door!!  One day we hope this also goes for our children's friends.  We want to be the "fun house" to come to! :) 

And you know, sometimes it's nice for a girlfriend, sister or Mom to come over and have deep conversation about what going on in life over some coffee or sweet tea.  I think God wants us to be there for the people in our lives.  I know we're all quite busy these days, but when you know someone may be in need of a hug or a listening ear, they should be able to have someone to lean on.   

That someone may be you or I!

Enter these delicious cookies.

I made some of these for Mr. Cozy's parents, who came over for a really nice visit yesterday.  His dad brought his truck over so we could load up some firewood a neighbor-friend was giving us.  While they were doing all the hard work (thanks guys!!) my mother-in-love and I had a cookie with some hot cocoa and a good talk!  It was a good time! 

I decided I wanted to make some cozy oatmeal cookies!  Is it just me, or is there something almost comforting about eating a warm oatmeal cookie?

 I love them with raisins or dried cranberries or nuts, but this time we agreed that chocolate chips sounded the best!  It a perfect combo of the classic oatmeal cookie and favorite chocolate chip cookie!  I decided to add a tinge of cinnamon in these to give it the warmth I'm crazy about this time of year.  This recipe turned out great!  I have to say though, I made just a few yesterday (the ones in the pics) and refrigerated the rest of the dough, and just made a couple more today after the dough been in the fridge 24 hours.  They are better today!  They turned out a little thicker with a richer flavor!!!  So I highly recommend refrigerating the dough before baking...if you can wait that long, that is!

I wanted to show ya'll a bit of my "winter kitchen" nook with my new snowman tea towel Mom gave me for Christmas and my Cookies platter with snowflakes, that I love!  There in front of that is our pretty little red and white hot chocolate maker that was a Christmas gift from my dear friend, Shareen, and her husband.  (Check out her blog if you haven't already!  She is a lovely person all around with some delicious recipes!)  We love to make real hot chocolate on an occasional cold winter's night!  I'll have to feature it sometime. :)

I hope that you oatmeal cookie fans out there get the chance to make a batch of these scrumptious, chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on a chilly afternoon.  I know that you'll love them, too!

Warm & Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen

• 1 c. butter, softened

• 
  
• 1 c. packed light brown sugar
• 
  
• 1/2 c. white sugar
• 
  
• 2 eggs
• 
  
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract (I used vanilla bean paste)
• 
  
• 1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 
  
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 
  
• 1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

• 
  
• 3 c. old fashioned oats
• 
  
• 1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

1 c. walnuts or pecan, chopped (optional)

 

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth.

Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

 

 Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir into the

 

creamed mixture until just blended. 

Mix in the quick oats, walnuts, and chocolate chips.

 

Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.

 

They will spread some, so allow ample room!

 

Bake for 12 minutes in a 325 degree preheated oven.

 

Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before

 

transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

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