Thursday, November 13, 2008

Too Lazy To Scoop so I Made Barookies

Thanks for the comments on the pancakes! Well, now I know who to come to next time I need an ego boost. :) I suppose the perfectionist in me is still searching for the God given talent of making a batch of pancakes all the same, perfectly round shape and size. How do they/you do it?! Please don't tell me the Perfect Pancake Maker really works.

Well, that same perfectionism haunts me when I make cookies. I try so hard to make each cookie the same perfect round ball that it takes me F O R E V E R to make a big batch of cookies. I think it's about time to invest in a cookie scoop, huh?

The other day hubby and I were craving cookies like two pregnant ladies. Also feeling like a pregnant lady (no, I'm not!), I was too lazy to even fathom making rows of perfect little cookie balls, so I decided to transform our favorite cookies into a bar. And throw some apples in there because we have an orchard growing on our counter top.

There's something magical about bar cookies, maybe because I like my cookies thick and chewy. Bar cookies also take the guesswork out of "are they done yet?" as they tend to crisp up nicely around the edges and firm up in the middle.


Best of all, I don't need to spend my afternoon scooping out little cookie dough balls. Just throw the cookie dough (you haven't already eaten) in a baking pan and you're done!

These bars are nicely spiced with sauteed apples, apple pie spice and cinnamon. The raisins are plumped by soaking in boiling water and the end result is just a yummy, Fall dessert to enjoy. Come to think of it, I'm off to go eat one myself!

Oatmeal Apple Raisin Barookies (Bar+Cookie)

1 1/4 cup raisins
about 1.5 cups boiling water
1/4 cup thinly chopped, peeled apple
pat of butter, cinnamon & brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp apple pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease an 8x8 inch pan.

Place raisins in a large heatproof bowl. Pour enough boiling water over raisins to cover. Allow to sit for 10 minutes and then drain well.

In a small nonstick skillet, melt a pat of butter over medium heat. Add apples and continue to stir in butter until softened, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar. Stir until combined.

In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Beat in egg until combined then stir in vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, apple pie spice and salt. Gradually add to the creamed mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the quick oats and drained raisins. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for 12 to 16 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are starting to brown and the middle is set. Let cool in pan before cutting into bars.

26 comments:

kat said...

a perfect lazy barookie

Sweet Treats by Dani said...

I know what you mean about wanting identical cookies! I get so flustered sometimes that it is a little embarassin LOL

the barookies look scrumptious by the way :)

Clumbsy Cookie said...

I like the name of it, barookies is a pretty cool name! Nothing wrong about being lazy, if te result is those delicious looking things!

Esi said...

Barookies! That could also mean breakfast cookie! This is a pretty good "lazy" dessert to me!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

GENIUS!!!! I love this idea, oh my goodness - you rock :-D

The Blonde Duck said...

I love those barookies. They look perfect to me! How can you go wrong w/ apples, raisens and oatmeal!

Sophie said...

my cravings are usually too intense to create the perfect cookie or even pancake :D, these are perfect because the knife can do all the cutting and they have a super cool name :)!

That Girl said...

Lazy works for me when they still look this good!

Anonymous said...

I make bar cookies all the time! I have never called them barookies, but I love the name!! I will from now on!
:) Thanks

alexandra's kitchen said...

I have become the laziest baker ever. The longer I go without baking, the more of an ordeal it becomes. I need to snap out of it. I'm glad I have an out now — the next time I make a batch of dough that I don't feel like babysitting, I am going to through it in my brownie pan. These sound really good!

Pam said...

Sometimes being lazy pays off. These barookies look delicious and easy to make.

grace said...

i can be lazy when it comes to both cooking and speaking--i'm a big fan of combining words (although i draw the line at "stoup"...). these look delightful. :)

RecipeGirl said...

Love the invented word. You may be onto something there. Glad they turned out :)

You'd be happy at our house... I've been baking up a storm!

Bunny said...

You had me with sauted apples!!

Anonymous said...

I have been looking for apple pie spice at my grocery store and they never have it! These look awesome!

Carmen Cooks said...

yum, i love bar cookies. :) i am making your pumpkin pancakes today!

Anonymous said...

Oatmeal and apple, sounds like a great combo for any baked goods! :)

tigerfish said...

I want some!

La Bella Cooks said...

I bet these smelled fantastic while baking and they look so yummy. Perfect for a fall morning with a cup of coffee!

Maria said...

I love the bar idea! Fun name too! What a great lazy dessert!

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU Sharon. The recipe (and the method) sound easy and tasty!!!!

DINK

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Being lazy certainly worked! They look tasty!

Leslie said...

Barookies??LOL your too funny!
I cant believe you dont have a cookie scoop..I have 3 in various sizes and I use them for EVERYTHING..Measuring out equal parts of ground beef for hamburgers, cookies, cupcakes..etc!
Get your self over to Target and get yourself one!!

Mo said...

Oooh. my. do these look good! Love the name barookie, it reminds me of a restaurant here that makes Pizookies in their personal pan pizza pans. Genious!

Snooky doodle said...

these look great. it s the taste that counts not the shape :)

Laura said...

Barookies! I love it! And I totally agree--making cookies into bars guarantees thick and chewy.