Rush Hour Oatmeal Cookies

Who here has a tendency to wait until the last minute? On Schoolwork? Work deadlines? Finding a babysitter? Gas gauge close to E?

I think we've all been a little guilty of this. Part of it has become human nature. Things that we just don't want to do always get put on the backburner. And as long as I as I don't have to call the fire department, it usually ends up ok. Sometimes work under pressure can make some pretty remarkable things. It's the spur of the moment, the real element of surprise.

Such was the case with these cookies. I went to a party this past weekend, and like any party-goer, you just can't show up empty handed, right? Whether it's plastic forks or a bottle of Dom, you HAVE to bring something.

However, due to work commitments, and personal commitments (*cough-gym-cough*), I was a little short on time when I got home. I have about 45 minutes to make something and head on over to the festivities. So... with nothing but my head and a semi-empty cabinet of supplies, I had some work to do. These were straight up MacGyver cookies, which I sort of measured, and sort of didn't. I used pure staples that I always have on hand.

Amateur Bodybuilder Cabinet Staples:

• Oats
• Natural PB
• Raisins

Amateur Baker Cabinet Staples:

• The usual flour, two sugars, butter, chocolate chips, powders and spices

I was pretty low on these ingredients. So... what kind of bomb can I defuse with this?

Well, I have to go back to old faithful... my favorite cookie. The almighty oatmeal. I swear if my body is already 60% water, and 20% is jokes and knowledge, then the other 20% is oatmeal. I go through those big tins in like 2 weeks. So, in a semi similar way, I went with a cookie base from this old school post.

Might not be the most exciting cookie ever, but hey, rush times call for rush measures.


Rush Hour Oatmeal Cookies
Dr. Adam

-1/4 cup salted butter, melted
-1 cup packed brown sugar
-1 egg -1 1/2 tsp vanilla
-3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
-1 cup rolled oats
-1/4 tsp baking soda
-Heaping Tablespoons of peanut butter - 1/2 cup, maybe
-Handfuls of raisins (1/2-3/4 cup)
-Handfuls of chocolate chips (1/2 cup)

Preheat your oven to 350*. Set up a middle rack, grease a cookie sheet.

In a large bowl, with a wooden spoon, mix up the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until it is brown and smooth.

You can either add the dry ingredients together, or just do what I did, and add the flour, oats, and baking soda to the wet bowl, right on top of each other. Mix together thoroughly, until the mixture becomes stiff and well coated. Fold in the peanut butter, until evenly combined, and then the raisins and chocolate chips.

Drop heaping tablespoons onto the cookie sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes. The tops should be crackly brown, and spring back a bit when lightly touched. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, and then to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 2 dozen.


I apologize for the lack of measurements on the "add-ins" for these cookies, but when you are against the clock, you kind of just wing it. I could also be alone on this, but I've always thought that chocolate chips and stuff are meant to be added to taste. How much do you want? It depends on what you're looking for.

Overall, these were a big hit, and I'm proud of myself for coming up with it on a whim. I was thinking of adding some coconut (healthy fat for weight gaining mode), but I decided against it, because some people just don't dig that flavor. Maybe next time my friends :)

Thanks for all your sweet comments, and while I know I've been rehashing some old posts lately, I've got a creative thinking cap on for later this week. It could completely backfire, but that's all part of the game :) I'm heading up to a wedding this weekend, but I hope to have some time to check some blogs and see how everyone is doing. It feels pretty good to be back in the groove and posting again. Feels like we all didn't miss a step. Have a great rest of the week :)