Pantry Cookies

These are my ultimate care package cookies.

These are my "I can't decide if I want oatmeal, peanut butter, or chocolate chips in my cookies" cookies.

Usually, multiple types of chocolate go into this cookie. Nuts and dried fruit often make an appearance in these cookies. (White chocolate and dried cranberries? Amazing.) Peanut butter and oats are a must for these cookies. How else can I make myself believe they are a legitimate breakfast item?


The beauty of these cookies is that you make them your own. Have some spare M&Ms lying around? Toss them in. Like pecans, but love walnuts too? Sure, have both! Can't decide between dark or milk chocolate? Mix and match, pick and choose, it all works out in the end.

The base for this cookie is an oatmeal cookie recipe. When you add your favorite mix-ins it becomes your own. Pantry Cookie is what I'm calling it, but call it what you want because it's yours!


Pantry Cookies
Originally "Garbage Cookies" by i am baker.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 cups whole oats

additions:(measurements are only suggestions, feel free to alter to your liking)
1/4 to 1/2 cup peanut butter (optional) 
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 white chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup dried cranberries (not pictured)




Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, sift together the 1 1/2 cups flour, the teaspoons of salt, baking powder, baking soda, the 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and the 1/2 teaspoon of allspice. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the 3/4 cup of softened butter, the 3/4 cup of brown sugar, and the 3/4 cup granulated sugar. When fluffy, mix in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, along with the 1 and 1/2 cup of oats. Add peanut butter (if desired), mixing until just combined. Fold in your additions to make this cookie your own masterpiece!



Using a tablespoon, drop rounded mounds of cookie dough on baking sheet. Bake for 8 - 12 minutes turning halfway through. Allow to cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes, transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Disclaimer: you can make pantry cookies even if you don't own a pantry.