QUICK COOKIES
We have to thank those late evening sweet cravings for the birth of these quick cookie creations. I fondly remember one such evening, with only a few simple ingredients, most of which were present on my counter, I whipped up the first personalized batch. Those cookies included fruity olive oil as the fat along with bright flecks of lemon zest and a hit of cracked rosemary. You might say I was channeling Mediterranean vibes.
Warm from the oven, these cookies present a light crisp exterior and delightfully soft chew inside. If left to cool completely, the biscuits develop a firmer sandy texture, due to the sugar ratio, and serve as an excellent dipper alongside tea or coffee.
Overtime, I've experimented with a variety of familiar flavor profiles. Here are some of my favorites, from oats and sultanas to deep cocoa with a line of melted chocolate in the center. Hope you treat yourself to a 'self-care' serving of these quick cookies. Enjoy!
OLIVE OIL QUICK COOKIES
Preheat oven to 350°F
4 tablespoons all purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin preferably
1 teaspoon lemon juice (or water), to bring the dough together
1/4 teaspoon each salt, lemon zest, dried crushed rosemary
In a small bowl, fork all ingredients together until no pockets of dry flour remain. Dough will resemble the texture of wet sand. Form dough into 1 inch round balls and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan. This amount should make about six cookies. Bake cookies for 12 minutes on the middle rack of a toaster oven or regular oven. Remove from the oven and, using the back of a fork or spoon, gently press each cookie into a crackled circular shape 1.5 inches in diameter. Remove cookies from the sheet pan onto a cooling rack. Cool 5 to 10 minutes before eating.
DEEP CHOCOLATE QUICK COOKIES
Preheat oven to 350°F
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder
2 tablespoons neutral vegetable oil, (sunflower)
1 teaspoon brewed coffee, or water, to bring the dough together
1/4 teaspoon each vanilla and salt
6-12 semisweet dark chocolate baking chunks (small squares)
In a small bowl, fork all ingredients together until no pockets of dry flour remain. Dough will resemble the texture of wet sand. Begin by forming 1/6 of the dough into roughly a 1 inch disk in the palm of your hand, then add 1-2 pieces of chocolate in the center of the disk. Form disk into a 1 inch ball, encasing the chocolate pieces in the center. Place dough balls on a parchment-lined sheet pan. This amount should make about six cookies. Baked 12 minutes on the middle rack of a toaster or regular oven. Remove from the oven and, with the back of a fork or spoon, gently press each cookie into a crackled circular shape 1.5 inches in diameter. Remove cookies from the sheet pan onto a cooling rack. Cool 5 to 10 minutes before eating.
SPICED QUICK COOKIES
Preheat oven to 350°F
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4 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons molasses
2 tablespoons neutral vegetable oil, (sunflower)
1 teaspoon water, to bring the dough together
1/4 teaspoon each vanilla, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
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In a small bowl, fork all ingredients together until no pockets of dry flour remain. Dough will resemble the texture of wet sand. Form dough into 1 inch round balls and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan. This amount should make about six cookies. Bake cookies for 12 minutes on the middle rack of a toaster oven or regular oven. Remove from the oven and, using the back of a fork or spoon, gently press each cookie into a crackled circular shape 1.5 inches in diameter. Remove cookies from the sheet pan onto a cooling rack. Cool 5 to 10 minutes before eating.
OATMEAL RAISIN QUICK COOKIES
Preheat oven to 350°F
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3 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon old fashion oats, uncooked
1 tablespoon raisins, golden or dark
2 tablespoons neutral vegetable oil, (sunflower)
1 teaspoon water, to bring the dough together
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for sprinkling
1/4 teaspoon salt
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In a small bowl, fork all ingredients together until no pockets of dry flour remain. Dough will resemble the texture of wet sand. Form dough into 1 inch round balls and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan. This amount should make about six cookies. Bake cookies for 12 minutes on the middle rack of a toaster oven or regular oven. Remove from the oven and, using the back of a fork or spoon, gently press each cookie into a crackled circular shape 1.5 inches in diameter. Remove cookies from the sheet pan onto a cooling rack. Cool 5 to 10 minutes before eating.