Linda’s Chocolate Lover’s Oatmeal Cookies

Linda’s Chocolate Lover’s Oatmeal Cookies

The word “gifted” can get me all riled up. When used to mean “naturally talented” I have no qualms. In fact, I rather like it when applied as an adjective to child prodigies, musicians, artists, mathematicians, healers and even plumbers. And believe me, plumbing is a gift not bestowed up on me or any of my immediate family.

To me, “gifted” is a useful, generous and surprisingly handy adjective.  But it’s one rotten past tense verb.

My inner grammar teacher wants to rap knuckles and assign lines when someone says someone gifted them something when they mean they were given a gift. And being forced to write two someones and a something in the same sentence doesn’t help the cause. And yes, it’s ironic that acts of generosity can make me grouchy.

So, let me demonstrate the correct use of the word via  food.

See the cookie above? Linda Formichelli, a gifted writer and co-author of The Renegade Writer, gave me the recipe. She tried my Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies and after a lengthy conversation in the comment section, posted her favourite cookie recipe. Hooked by the adjective “favourite”, I baked a batch for a family reunion. There, pitted against gooey iced brownies, homemade cherry pie, Rice Krispie squares with sprinkles and some decadent swirled toffee creation, these humble cookies caught my Uncle Paul’s attention. “Who made these?” he demanded, waving a cookie in the air.  I fessed up, wondering if I had somehow managed to botch the recipe — which given my distracted state of mind isn’t out of the question.

But no, he loved them and announced, “Ms Christie, you make good cookies!” He then told me I should publish the recipe. Okay. Consider it done.

Since reinforcement is crucial to learning, allow one more example. See these funky, Celtic patterned plates? Wendy Gacparski, a gifted potter and cyber friend, gave me these when I stopped by her booth at a recent pottery fair. I learned about Wendy when my mom gave me one of her lovely yet functional brown sugar savers a couple of years ago. I’ve been itching to photograph these soft aqua dishes ever since I got back in my kitchen. And Linda’s cookies served as a perfect subject.

Two gifts. One photo op. A grammar lesson… and a recipe. Not bad for a Monday.

Forget the food for once. Tell me about a gifted person you admire or a gift that touched you. And here’s Linda’s recipe for your efforts.

Chocolate Lover’s Oatmeal Delights

Makes 48 cookies.

  • 1 1/4 all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
  • 1 cup peanut butter flavored pieces (or use chocolate chips instead)
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a very large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds.
  4. Add the sugar and beat mixture until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.
  5. Beat in the egg, water, and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can.
  6. By hand, stir in any remaining flour mixture and the rolled oats. Stir in chocolate pieces and peanut butter flavored pieces, if using
  7. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool.

19 Comments
  • Linda Formichelli
    Posted at 11:12h, 12 July

    I’m glad everyone liked the cookies, Charmian, and thanks for all the kind words!
    .-= Linda Formichelli´s last blog ..Contact Linda =-.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 12:16h, 12 July

    @Linda Formichelli, no, no. Thank YOU for sharing your recipe. My uncle just loved it. Guess I know what to bring next year.

  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 12:25h, 12 July

    Yum!
    A gifted person in my life is definitely my husband. He is the provider of solutions. Now, often the attempts to solve every last problem don’t mesh with a wife who sometimes wants to vent. But he can look at a spacial discombobulation, a need to fix the dog from eating the cat food, or the way to hang just one more cabinet on that wall and figure it out. And when he can’t do it immediately, boy will he perservere to figure it out. Now that is a gift!
    .-= Cheryl Arkison´s last blog ..Aside =-.

  • Cheryl
    Posted at 18:24h, 12 July

    You are a gifted grammarian (I can say that, I think) but I guess I can’t thank you for gifting us with your grammar know-how, for then I shall receive a knuckle-thwack, which would be no gift at all. Or something.

    If you give me a cookie, I’ll call it even.
    .-= Cheryl´s last blog ..Kim =-.

  • Jessica
    Posted at 10:28h, 13 July

    Loved this post. I’ve never used “gifted” as a past tense verb before, but I don’t think it would bother me nearly as much as the phrase “she learned me.” Believe me, I’ve heard it said before and I cringed when I did!

  • Betherann
    Posted at 11:55h, 13 July

    Yum! And your site is gorgeous.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 21:10h, 13 July

    Thanks so much! I appreciate the support!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 21:11h, 13 July

    Twack! And here’s a cookie!

    If you ever come visit I will give you a cookie — or ten. A visit would be the best gift of all.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 21:16h, 13 July

    Ah, the old Mr Fix It meets Ms I Just Wanna Talk It Out. Same here. But I’m so glad your husband comes up with solutions. Out of curiosity, how do you keep the dog from eating the cat food?

    Thanks for sharing your husband’s gifts.

  • The Diva on a Diet
    Posted at 12:28h, 14 July

    I don’t know which I’m lusting after more … these incredible cookies, or your gorgeous little plates. Both are so lovely!

    I think I’m going to try these cookies and use up some of the cacao nibs that a chocolatier recently sent to me. I’m up to my ears in cacao nibs and I think they’d make a fine addition here. Thanks to both you and Linda for helping to use the supply!
    .-= The Diva on a Diet´s last blog ..Quick Chicken Tostadas Give-away Winner =-.

  • Amy Proulx
    Posted at 13:29h, 14 July

    A gift that touched me? How about being a new bride, visiting the in-laws in a far off land, and receiving gifts under the erroneous assumption that I was freshly moving out of my parents’ home. Hmmm… how many unmatched casseroles do I need to fill my precious luggage space with? If only they could come to see my kitchen in Canada, I’ve already got fourteen of this style. Their generosity was touching, and extremely well intentioned, but not completely rationalized with my North American lifestyle.

    A gruff, grumpy cousin of my husband’s, he takes great pleasure in walking the mountains in Azerbaijan and Northern Iran. As people were generously adding to my vase and knick nack collection, this cousin abruptly handed me a large plastic bag of wild mountain mint that he had picked. His only comment – that I’d need it to make koofteh tabrizi, the traditional enormous meatballs. Someone saw through to my heart’s desire, to receive a gift to connect me continuously to my husband’s culture through food. My sister-in-law caught this glimmer of joy, and made a sack full of dried herbs for traditional cooking.

    On subsequent trips, relatives have figured out that spices and recipes are a beautiful gift. Their food and stories connect me to them.

  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 15:31h, 15 July

    @Charmian Christie,
    The Solution, as it came to be known, was at his parent’s house. He built a carpet covered ramp over the entrance to the stairs to the basement. You went down a couple of stairs to the back door landing, then went the rest of the way. So the people could actually place the food at the top of the ramp, but the dog – a beagle/basset cross – could definitely not reach!
    .-= Cheryl Arkison´s last blog ..Aside =-.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 17:38h, 15 July

    Oh, cacao nibs would be interesting! I think you’re onto something. I see endless variations with this recipe — dried cranberries, skor bits…

    And those plates are very versatile, too. Sushi, truffles, any one-bite item would do.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 17:40h, 15 July

    What a lovely story, Amy. Glad that cousin figured out your heart’s desire. I would love to taste some of your traditional cooking again. Your breads were amazing. I can only imagine what you would do with herbs. Thanks for sharing this.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 17:43h, 15 July

    Very innovative, using the dog’s physical limitations against him. Hope it’s not too frustrating for the poor animal. But I imagine it’s a huge relief to the humans and the cat.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 17:51h, 15 July

    Oh, “she learned me” is definitely worse. You win. Or lose, depending how you look at it. 🙂

  • Sophie
    Posted at 14:19h, 18 July

    MMMMMMMM,…you are on a real cookie high!!

    These chocolate oat cookies look terrific!

    Yummmm,..;I would love to savour at least 4!
    .-= Sophie´s last blog ..Sophies chilled melon &amp cucumber soup with a radish &amp minted topping =-.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 17:25h, 19 July

    @Sophie, be careful. Cookies like these go down too easily.

    This blog is just an excuse to make cookies without people getting upset about my eating habits. My uncle adored these, but I’m still one for plain chocolate chip cookies with walnuts. Mmmm. Walnuts…

  • Loudrapbeats
    Posted at 01:33h, 14 April

    Rappers such as KRS-One and Big Boi have expressed libertarian views in their lyrics and personal life. KRS-One’s songs have covered such libertarian topics as individualism, while Big Boi intended the OutKast song “Bombs Over Baghdad” as a libertarian, anti-war song.par