A Tale Of Two Cookies

For many of us it's close enough to January 1st that we're still trying to keep the resolutions we made, including eating healthier. But man can't live on kale alone. Nor can woman. So, when a tempting photo of chocolate chip cookies drifted through our Facebook feed, it didn't take long to decide we needed to make them. About three seconds actually. Besides, even though there was no visible oatmeal, those Mrs. Fields-lookalike cookies purported to be full of oatmeal, and to be low in fat and sugar. You CAN have it all. Or so we thought... You've probably seen this duplicitous cookie because it seems to be the darling of social media. Don't be fooled. It's a big fat liar.
These are what the actual cookies look like. They didn't taste BAD, but they sure tasted healthy. REALLY healthy. We ate a couple, and then put them in the fridge, where their one redeeming quality (moistness) turned to something less appealing (sogginess). A couple of days later they somehow ended up in the trash. The terriers must've done it.

Cookies © Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

But IF you're looking for a super healthy cookie recipe, here you go.

RECIPE:

Ingredients
3 mashed bananas
1/3 C applesauce (we used an individual snack cup, close enough)
2 C oats
1/4 C almond milk
3/4 C mixed dark and white chocolate chips (or your preferred chip or combination of chips)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
Directions
Mix ingredients. Place by rounded tablespoon on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Let cool 1 minute, then remove to cooling rack.
Makes about 18 cookies

So, having sampled the DISAPPOINTING cookies, of course we craved the real deal. Butter. Sugar. Flour. We found the following recipe on lifeloveandsugar.com and were intrigued by the addition of cornstarch to keep the cookie nice and thick (because nothing's sadder than a cookie-pancake that spreads all over the baking sheet). Aren't these babies gorgeous?

Coooookies!!!! © Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

Now that you're drooling...

RECIPE:

Ingredients
3/4 C butter (a stick and a half, people)
3/4 C brown sugar
1/4 C white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 C flour
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 C chocolate chips

Directions
1. Cream butter and sugars in mixer until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes)
2. Add eggs and vanilla, mix thoroughly
3. Combine dry ingredients and then mix into wet ingredients a cup or so at a time
4. When dough is thoroughly blended, stir in chocolate chips
5. Use 1/4 cup scoop to measure out each cookie
6. Bake at 350 degrees 11-12 minutes
7. Remove from oven, let stand 1 minute, remove to cooling rack
Makes about 18 cookies

Quince Cottage believes a *vanilla subdivision house can be transformed into a beautiful home that reflects the unique taste and personality of its owner. In our own place, we mix vintage Southern style with some global spice. Think gilded mirror, an embroidered velvet robe from Uzbekistan, and a weathered plank wall. 

Stick around, and we'll not only show you what we mean, we'll also give you tips on creating your own signature look. 
*vanilla = bad, in decorating, not in cooking