I thought it was high time I shared these Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies with Toffee and Coffee with you. I’ve made them several times since last summer, when my aunt June passed them around the campground on Father’s Day weekend.
My family stayed with my parents in their camper that weekend, claiming every last little bit of space available. Camping was such a regular part of my summers growing up, so it’s great fun for me to share that experience with our own girls, in the same South Dakota State Parks. My parents have made it a tradition to invite our family to camp with them at least once a summer, along with a handful of other campers inhabited with friends and family from home, and I’m so grateful for the memories these weekends of fresh air create.
June makes these cookies with chopped pecans and toffee bits. My mom makes them without nuts and then doubles the toffee. And I seem to throw in whatever I’m craving or have available in the pantry. But how I’ve written the recipe here is how I like to make them when our pantry is full and prepared for a batch of these cookies. I like to incorporate both bittersweet and semi sweet chocolate chips, plenty of Heath candy toffee bits, and a bit of ground coffee beans. As time goes by, I find myself adding coffee in its various forms to more and more recipes involving chocolate. It’s a chocolate enhancer that has me hooked.
These cookies make me happy with all the fun goodies going on inside. Using sweet and creamy butter, plus just a touch of peanut butter, they have a wonderful flavor base. Add to that some oats and a variety of mix-ins, and you’ve got one batch of chewy and delicious cookies loaded with texture.
And speaking of butter…
I am beyond thrilled to be partnering with Land O’Lakes this year, to be talking with you about their butter.
Land O’Lakes is a farmer-owned cooperative and headquartered right here in Minnesota, less than a 20-minute drive from my home. And I was able to spend some time with them this week, what a treat for me!
Becky runs the show in the Land O’Lakes test kitchen, as its director. She’s been with Land O’Lakes for over 30 years (wow!), saying she started as an intern and simply never left. She wears a constant smile and is fun-lovin’, but it’s also obvious what a hard worker she is. I dare to even question if Becky’s dedication has something to do with butter being pumped through her veins…
(photo by Johnna of Land O’Lakes PR)
But the main reason I was invited to spend some time at Land O’Lakes this past week? I took part in a webinar hosted by Becky and the one and only Ree Drummond, aka The Pioneer Woman. I must repeat…what a treat!
(photo by Johnna of Land O’Lakes PR)
Ree deserves every good word I’ve ever heard or read about her. She is sweet and kind and genuine. And I can say that even after she purposely poked me in the leg a number of times. Really, though, that was my own nervous fault. She was just trying to get me to loosen up and relax, for which I gratefully took a few pokes for.
Johnna (left) and Allison (right), from Land O’Lakes PR, made sure the webinar proceeded just as they had mapped it out. They helped to put together a small group of bloggers – Julie from The Little Kitchen, Maria from Two Peas and Their Pod, Sommer from A Spicy Perspective, and myself – to take part in a series of Kitchen Conversations with Land O’Lakes and The Pioneer Woman in 2013.
(photo by Johnna of Land O’Lakes PR)
Because I live just a few miles down the road, I was invited to join the webinar live. Julie, Maria, and Sommer called in from around the country, and we all talked about this year’s predicted food trends with other fellow food bloggers and friends who called in. We’ll all be sharing more of that conversation with you in another week or so.
(photo from www.thebachelorfarmer.com)
The grand finale of my time this week with Land O’Lakes and Ree was finally getting to eat at one of the hardest-to-come-by reservations in town, The Bachelor Farmer. I’ve previously tried in vain to nab a couple seats at the Dayton brothers’ (Governor Dayton’s sons) Nordic table, and now finally personally know why they’re so hard to come by. I’m sure this restaurant’s popularity has something to do with not actually offering lutefisk, although I’m certain this would be the place that could make it desirable. But Scandinavian cuisine hasn’t been so hip in this town since Marcus Samuelsson was in the kitchen at Aquavit, where I vividly remember sharing my first bite of foie gras with Blake, shortly after we were married.
As I finished each course at The Bachelor Farmer, my plate was left as clean as I could muster with the utensils laid in front of me. I dared not clean my plates any farther, but I desperately wanted to. Yes, I enjoyed every last bite. And I definitely want to return, to explore the rest of their menu.
(If you happen to go to The Bachelor Farmer, please pick me up a gallon bucket of those crazy good pickled shallots and a double helping of bourbon-pecan ice cream with date cake and warm toffee sauce. Pretty, pretty please!)
(photo by Jamie of Land O’Lakes PR)
The Bachelor Farmer’s space is wonderful as well. Housed in a historic brick-and-timber warehouse, the Daytons aimed to preserve its original character. We dined upstairs in the most awesome room. All four walls were covered in afghans! The quirky decor, created from yarn in all imaginable colors and geometrics, cozied up our meal and conversation that frigid night.
I WILL be back!
A big thank you to all the great folks at Land O’Lakes for having me, and to Ree for being so down-to-earth-lovely and poking my leg. (Really.) I had a blast!
Cookies (with butter!), anyone?!
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 2 c. old fashioned oats
- 1 c. Heath milk chocolate toffee bits
- 1/2 c. bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 c. semi sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tsp. ground coffee
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, peanut butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture, mixing just until combined. Finally, fold in the oats, toffee bits, both chocolate chips, and coffee grounds until just combined.
Drop dough by heaping teaspoons onto prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between the cookies. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cookies are a bit golden and the edges are set. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Source
Recipe comes from my aunt June Renelt's recipe box, originally from Monty Rauser in the cookbook "A Colorful Taste of Shiloh" from Shiloh Christian School in Bismarck, ND. I have adapted the original recipe quite a bit.
I am linking up with:
- Cheryl at TidyMom for I’m Lovin’ It (Photographing Food: Color & Camera)
So fun, Brenda!!! So glad to be working with you!! Can’t wait to finally meet in person in may!! Ree is so sweet, love all if these pictures & your cookies!!!
JulieD recently posted..How to Make Homemade Pasta with KitchenAid
Thanks, Julie! I’m so excited and completely honored to be working with you, too – I love what you do. And I’m so looking forward to real live face time with you this year…May, June AND July!
This is so awesome, Brenda!! I can’t wait to hear more about it!
Cassie | Bake Your Day recently posted..Balsamic Sesame Chicken Salad Wraps
It was a great experience with great people. Thanks, Cassie!
Ooooh! Gotta try these soon!
(You were lovely on the webinar. So fun to hear you speak and see you at the same time!)
Amy recently posted..Quicker Baked Potatoes
Thanks, Amy – was fun to hear you, too!
Loved chatting with you this week:) I wish we could have all been in MN together…well, maybe not since it is freezing:) Hurry up Austin! Love the cookies!
Maria recently posted..Biscoff Banana Bread with Biscoff Cookie Streusel
I am SO looking forward to Austin (and its warmth!), having us all together, and finally meeting you!!!
What a fun chat and I’m so glad you had the opportunity to meet Ree in person. She is so charming!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective recently posted..Korean Veggie Pancakes
Yes, it was fun – can’t wait to see you again this year, AND meet your fam! Ree is delightful, and so real. I met her briefly at a book signing before the holidays, along with our 2 girls. Our daughters completely fell for her…it was so hard for them to go to school this week knowing I was on my way to meet up with her.
OK so a few things:
1) These cookies — YUMSAUCE.
2) I totally live approximately 4.5 minutes away from the Land O Lakes headquarters! How fun that you got to go there!
3) I also experienced the magic that is The Bachelor Farmer last weekend (we went for their Sunday supper) and I died of happiness in my date cake dessert.
4) Yay for meeting Ree!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough recently posted..scarlet threads apron {giveaway}
So nice to hear from you, Stephanie! That Sunday Supper at TBF looks so intriguing to me. Good stuff!
Stephanie – we have to get together! We are literally 4.5 minutes away from the headquarters too!!!
Brenda – next time you’re in the area, let us know
The partnership you have with them is going to be such fun! Can’t wait to see what you cook up.
SnoWhite @ Finding Joy in My Kitchen recently posted..Friday Favorite Finds #147
So much fun!!!! I cant think of a smarter, kinder, or better person for Land O Lakes to have picked… you are a perfect fit!! Looking forward to more! And these cookies??? Yeah. They are awesome.
Amanda recently posted..The Perfect White Cake
You are way kind, Amanda. Thank you. And I miss you!!! xo
Loved being part of the webinar it was really great! I love these cookies and can’t wait to try them.
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen recently posted..Cowgirl Cookies & New Boots
It was fun to hear your southern voice from WY!
Thanks, Milisa!
I was so honored to listen in on the webinar. I couldn’t tell you were nervous at all so those Ree pokes must have really helped!
Cat Davis – Food Family Finds recently posted..A Little Pink Snow Angel
It was wonderful you could join in! Thank you so much…I was sweating big time. Couldn’t you hear my heart thumping?!
Lovely lovely! So excited for you…and I can’t wait to keep up with your Land O Lakes adventures this year. I have used their butter for years and swear by it for all my cooking. When ever I have tried something else, usually because it’s on sale, I always regret it! So fun you got to hang with Ree…Oh she is such a Dear! These cookies look very yum too by the way ; )
Sheila recently posted..Lemon Bars
Thank you, my dear Sheila. That LOL butter is def top notch, I agree. And Ree? Yes, she is, too.
Brenda, looks like you had a fantastic time! And the cookies look delicious!
It was a great experience, Jackie – thanks! Great to hear from you again!
Wow Brenda! You are a “star”!!! What a great honor and it could not have gone to a better down-to-earth person who is truly talented! It sounded like you had a really nice time. I love your writing as you make a reader feel like they are there with you–that is truly a gift!
These cookies sound really yummy and I have saved the recipe because I WILL make them! Happy Friday!
Donna, you always send the sweetest notes. THANK YOU!! xo
You did such a great job, Brenda. A natural!
Love the cookies, you, and Ree! Isn’t she a kick in the pants?
She makes everything fun!
Happy weekend, friend!
Sandy @ RE recently posted..How to Roast Carrots for an Easy Appetizer
I’m betting your encouraging coaching had something to do with that, thanks Sandy. Ree really is great – was fun to see and hear her charming wit in person. Happy weekend to you, too! xo
These look like cookie perfection!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..chocolate-dipped financiers
Thanks, Laura! Happy Weekend to you!
I loved hearing you speak! You guys had such great ideas!
Angie recently posted..Skillet Eggplant Parmigiana
Thanks, Angie – I’m so glad you were able to join in. Have a great weekend!
These sound delicious!! And I’m so bummed I missed the webinar, the timing just wasn’t right for me. I bet it was a ton of fun!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel recently posted..Parmesan and Onion Dinner Rolls
Love seeing your smiling face! The look on your face tells your Dad and me that you had a blast at Land O Lakes with Ree. And I have to admit I have probably eaten a few too many of these yummy cookies; thanks to June!
Congratulations on this partnership with Land O’ Lakes!!! How wonderful for you Brenda. Your cookies look delicious and a great way to give this partnership a fabulous kick-off!
Paula recently posted..Family Day Cookies
Looks like so much fun! And I’m dying for some of those cookies now.
Tara @ Unsophisticook recently posted..Johnsonville Sausage Fire House Chili
These cookies look amazing!
Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife recently posted..Our Favorite Links for 2/11/2013
So cool! And these cookies look amazing!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar recently posted..Easy Lemon Pound Cake
what a fun experience that must’ve been! I am so looking forward to meeting Ree in April and even more so now after reading your encounter with her. So fun! I can’t wait to hear more about this webinar. Oh…and the cookies. I can send you my address.
YUM!!!
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet recently posted..Beef Stroganoff – Hamburger Helper Style
These cookies look great and looks like a FUN trip too!
marla recently posted..Smashed Squash
Someone recommended that I use Land O’Lakes for my baking once, and I have never gone back. Good stuff, and a yummy post!
Oh I love a good oatmeal cookie. I haven’t made any in a while though, which is kind of sad. I need to fix that soon. I bought a bag of toffee bits when I went home for winter break, but I never used them up, so I guess over the summer I’ll try to incorporate some toffee bits into things
Becca from Cookie Jar Treats recently posted..Cake Slice Bakers – February 2013: Red Velvet Cake with Mascarpone Cream Cheese Frosting
So glad to see you had fun. Congrats and thanks for yet another fabulous cookie recipe!
Marly recently posted..Avocado and Jalapeño Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Wow what a great time and the cookies sound so good!
Amanda recently posted..Mexican Quiche Bites
Brenda – I loved this peek behind the scenes – sounds like so much fun! I think that working in the Land O Lakes test kitchen may be my dream job, but I never knew it until today.
Jess recently posted..Little Things: Embracing the Heat
What an amazing experience for you to have! I am just south of you in good ole Wisconsin
What a fun experience Brenda!! Sorry I had to miss the webinar, I bet you were great!
TidyMom recently posted..Baked Maple & Cinnamon Donuts
Brenda,
Very cool! That looks like such a great experience!
I love the idea to use coffee in our baked goods that include chocolate. I know it complements the chocolate flavor nicely, but I never remember to do this with my regular recipes. I think that I will use coffee in my next batch of brownies! Thanks for the tip.
How fun, Brenda!
These cookies look and sound absolutely amazing. I would happily munch on them around the campfire or right at home.
Cookin’ Canuck recently posted..Hearty Chicken Sausage, Roasted Pepper & Whole Wheat Orzo Soup Recipe
These look sooo good…I can’t wait to give them a try. I may try a sugar free version.
Mike ‘Cookie Man’ D. recently posted..Rolo Stuffed Sugar Cookies
Oh my gosh – you lucky girl!! So cool that you are working with Land ‘O Lakes in MN!! (I just had appetizers at The Bachelor Farmer recently – WOW!!)
Micaela @MindfulMomma recently posted..How to Encourage Imagination in Your Kids
Absolutely hooked on these cookies! I made them over the weekend and they were delightful! How can you not love a cookie with peanut butter, chocolate chips, oatmeal, toffee and COFFEE! Just awesome!
Those cookies are the perfect mix of crunchy and chewy.
Oh, and I’m officially jealous. Ree doesn’t know this, but she’s my new Sunday morning workout buddy. I hit the treadmill while watching her show on the Food Network. I would love to meet her sometime!
Shel recently posted..Product Retirement Sale
Love the cookies, Bachelor Farmer is always amazing, Ree is a doll, and you are gorgeous.
Shaina recently posted..A Menu for Eating Well and Spending Less
This is so fun Brenda. I’m jealous and I want to be apart of butter magic!
Anyway your cookies are gorgeous!
Monique @ Ambitious Kitchen recently posted..This Week: Favorites
Hi Brenda
Ground Coffee: Is that instant coffee or coffee beans you buy and grind up yourself.
Hi, Jackie! I use ground coffee beans.