Walnuts

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies with Golden Raisins, Dried Cranberries, Chocolate Chunks, and Walnuts

It begins with the table. Whether it is the family you are born into, or the family you make on your own, I am convinced the table is where a family evolves.

For some of us, the joy is in prepping and serving. For others, there is no joy in the cooking, but the gift resides sitting next to people you love and talking about whatever topic arises.

For me, the best times around a table are potluck. Where everyone brings something. We share. It isn’t as stressful or scary or overwhelming, and it somehow all comes together

Potluck suppers have been my last week. We spent a whole week in the glorious Outer Banks: four families, varying supper plans. Only for me, the one with no grill or stove, I was the one who made due. I was welcomed at the table regardless.

(I brought the cookies).

This week held meals around pop up tables, picnic tables, poolside tables, bay side beach chair on your lap tables, and at each, we were family. Some topics dinner appropriate. Some topics…not. But, we laughed, and shared, and sat in silence. It was perfect.

All week-long I thought, “it all starts at the table.” We teach our children, we feed our elderly, we welcome the hurting. We provide, and we ever so humbly receive. We learn to sit. To listen. To share. We learn to respect and to be kind. We learn to laugh at ourselves. We all clean up together, and there is joy in that as well.

If you are lucky, the table is sacred. You take the time to stop the world, put down your electronics, and not just look at but see the people around you. And your heart becomes even more thankful.

For every time I complained about my father’s staunch five o’ clock supper time, I would give anything to sit at his table. When we eat as a family, it is almost always a joint decision as to where. Inside? Outside? But mostly…together.

For every crumpled napkin, shared plate, “try this,” forkful or sip of a drink, every “would you please pass…” or “Anybody want anything else before we clean up?” Our lives are connected. We are family…and it happens at the table.

For this cookie you can think it’s healthy and it is… but it really isn’t. Oatmeal, dried cranberries, dark chocolate chunks, orange zest, walnuts, and golden raisins all dance around with brown sugar and molasses. Chewy, filled with jam like dried fruit, and that little kick of orange balances it all out.

Yes, these went to the table. To the beach, to the bay, to the pool. Because life is just sweeter on vacation with dessert. Cookies need no plate. These were the healthiest of the cookies I brought, and they got eaten just like the others…and I am thankful. Ever so thankful, for the family I got to share for the week.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table!

Chrissy

For a printable recipe, click below!

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Chewy Oatmeal Cookies with Golden Raisins, Dried Cranberries, Chocolate Chunks, and Walnuts

Print Recipe
  • 1 Cup Butter
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar (I like to use dark)
  • ½ Cup White Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons (generous) Molasses
  • 3 Cups Rolled Oats (Can be Gluten Free)
  • 1 ½ Cup Flour
  • 2 Teaspoons Cinnamon
  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 4 Teaspoons Corn Starch
  • 1 ½ Cups Dried Cherries
  • 1 ½ Cups Golden Raisins
  • 2 Tablespoons Orange Zest
  • 1 Cup Dark Chocolate Chunks/Chips
  • Author: chrissy@mythankfultable.com

Ingredients

  1. Dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to a few days but can be mixed and baked.
  2. Preheat oven to 325*
  3. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or Silicone mats.
  4. In a mixer with a paddle attachment, combine butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
  5. Add in eggs and molasses and combine until smooth.
  6. In a separate bowl combine flour, oats, baking soda, salt, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
  7. Add dry ingredients to butter mixer until combined.
  8. Stir in dried cherries, zest, raisins, chocolate chunks.
  9. Scoop dough onto prepared cookie sheets.
  10. Bake for approx. 12 minutes. Allow to cool.

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Momma’s Apple Nut Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Momma's Apple Nut Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Momma's Apple Nut Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Momma’s Apple Nut Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Growing up, the holidays for me meant two types of cookies, and these breads. Every Christmas, my parents would bake chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies, and this Apple Nut Sour Cream Coffee Cake.

If you were loved by my parents, you got one or two of these to eat Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and a tray of cookies. Our dining room table would be covered, as well as every other possible surface, with wrapped breads and cookies to be delivered. It was a confectionary wonder when I was little. My Mom and Dad worked together and it was a fun time. My parents were not everyday bakers, so for me, this was such a great tradition. Cookie dough batches were literally mixed in a lobster pot to accommodate the measurements of ingredients. Giant foil bows awaited to be placed on top of the breads and cookies. It was our pre-christmas tradition.

Momma's Sour Cream Apple Nut Bread

Momma’s Sour Cream Apple Nut Bread

I have only ever seen this coffee cake made in double, triple, or quadruple batches. The idea of only making only one of these breads has never happened- so this recipe actually makes two breads. Which is perfect, because it will be gone so fast you will be happy you have a back up. Or, you could be like my mom and dad and give one away.

This is a one bowl mix recipe, with a topping you combine either on the stovetop or after microwaving the butter to melt.

When I made this bread for the first time, I doubled the apples and the topping and essentially got hot, warm, apple cinnamon goo. It was awesome. But, it was not bread. So, if you add more of either, go a little at a time and see how it goes. For me, the topping is what makes this bread and it is amazeballs. It sinks into the bread and makes the apples sing.

Think apple dumpling or apple fritter into coffee cake but not cake cakey. As in, it doesn’t have the same crumb when you cut into it like a buckle.

These breads keep for a few days, if they last that long, but not much longer. Kept cold you may extend the shelf life, but I recommend eating it within the first day or two. We have never frozen these breads to my knowledge, but I can’t see why it wouldn’t freeze well, if warmed gently in an oven before serving.

I know every family has traditions, especially around the holidays. It’s funny that even as I am writing this, I am wondering why I never make this bread during apple picking season- but I don’t. It’s for the Christmas table. You, however, can make it whenever you want.

Momma

I have to admit, when I was helping my mom with these breads, and watching my daughter put the topping on, my heart was full. Three generations of family creating something wonderful and delicious for our loved ones.  In my world, it doesn’t get any better than that. The only thing that would have made it better would be if my Dad was there with us, but in a way, he was.

 

My Dad Mixing Christmas Cookies

I intentionally choose to live a life where I search for the blessings and view every day a gift. On days like these, with loved ones far and near and crossed over, I am thankful for the simple things like cinnamon and walnuts sinking into a sour cream apple bread. They will head out to other kitchens and rest on other people’s tables. My bread will have the most topping because I choose the one with the most (baker’s privilege). It’s that simple. Though the list of people who receive them has shortened, because some have already passed on, the people who do get them know that this is part of Christmas for us. They too, remember, and it will be something I carry on when Mom decides she is tired of making these breads (this will never happen).

For the two mornings after it is baked I will eat a breakfast of Momma’s bread and coffee and be thankful. Thankful for who I am lucky enough to call Mom and Dad, thankful for my children, thankful for this life we live.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table!

 

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Momma’s Apple Nut Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Momma's Apple Nut Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Print Recipe

This sour cream apple nut coffee cake has been a part of my family’s Christmas for decades. Delicious apple coffee cake topped with a brown sugar cinnamon walnut mixture.

  • Author: chrissy@mythankfultable.com

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 Cup Shortening
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 2 Cups Flour
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Cups Chopped Apples
  • 1 Cup Sour Cream

Topping:

  • 1/2 Cup Chopped Walnuts
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 2 Teaspoons Butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350*
  2. Chop apples into small pieces.
  3. Cream together shortening and sugar.
  4. Add eggs, vanilla, and combine well.
  5. Add flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder alternately with sour cream.
  6. Fold in chopped apples.
  7. Spread batter in a prepared pan (grease and flour in advance).
  8. Combine topping ingredients and spread over the top of the batter.
  9. Bake for 35-40  minutes.

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