For the past 16 years Family Circle has challenged prospective first ladies to a cookie bake-off. And up until this year, every winning cookie has been indicative of who would be the first lady. This being an historic election, it is notable that the winning Family Circle cookie can no longer be considered a prognosticator toward the outcome of the election.
Then again, this cookie had bad Mojo from the start. Remember back in June when news of a so-called Cookiegate broke? I felt bad for Cindy McCain, and even a little bad for the intern who grabbed the recipe off the Hershey’s website. It was obvious all parties were clueless when it came to recipe exchanging etiquette. But the real loser in this case was the poor cookie.
This is an excellent cookie and it never deserved to be mired in such controversy. Then again, did anyone really care? It still won the 2008 cookie election with over 4,000 votes. And it deserved every one. Cindy McCain’s favorite cookies are similar to Nestle’s Oatmeal Scotchies, but fatter, crumblier and not quite as sweet. In my opinion, they’re more attractive than Scotchies, which I love, but which usually turn out thin and chewy. C. McCain Recipe Here. Also, just for fun I’ve listed all the cookie contenders since 1992 (below picture).
UPDATE: The links below work, but you may have to register with Parents Magazine (it’s free!) to get them.
1992 Hillary Clinton vs. Barbara Bush
Hillary Clinton’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
Barbara Bush’s original chocolate chip cookies –
Barbara Bush’s Chocolate Chip Cookies V.2 (she changed them up a bit)
1996 Hillary Clinton vs. Elizabeth Dole
Hillary’s Chocolate Chip Cookies (redux)
Elizabeth Dole’s Pecan Rolls
2000 Tipper Gore vs. Laura Bush
Tipper’s Gingersnaps
Laura’s Cowboy Cookies
2004 Teresa Heinz Kerry vs. Laura Bus
Teresa Kerry’s Pumpkin Spice
Laura Bush’s New Chocolate Chunk
2008 Michelle Obama vs. Cindy McCain
Cindy McCain’s Butterscotch Chips
Michelle Obama’s Shorbread
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Butterscotch Oatmeal?!?!??!?! Decadence!!!
I din’t know about this! I have heared something about some ccc Hillary gave the recipe that were actually the same recipe as a suposed urban mith Neiman Marcus story. I don’t know I might have dream it too… Anyway this is a fun thing. The cookies do look good! Thanks for all the links!
Cookiegate… that is hysterical. The recipe still looks really good!
Even though McCain lost, this cookie is a winner. Either Cindy McCain or some staffer knows how to pick good cookies.
It is hard to believe that Cindy McCain ever baked cookies but you never know what personal experiences people enjoy in life.
I think it’s interesting that none of the cookies have a chocolate cookie base. Some of them sound wonderful, including the ones you made.
Greetings from NYC! Sigh–we’re tired! Made it to Levains, JT’s and Bouchon today. Yummy cookies! It really is too hard to pick a favorite, but I think I now do like Levains better than JT’s, simply because I’ve decided I like plain old semi-sweet chocolate (In Levains) better than bittersweet chocolate (JT’s). And I’m loving this big, fat, gooey, doughy cookie!
Heading to City Bakery and Chelsea tomorrow!
Thanks for all the links to these presidential cookies. I have already printed the McCain one.
Have fun in SD, Anna!
Have a good time at City Bakery today! Let us know what you think.
We’re heading to the beach
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FYI the pecan rolls link takes you to one of the Barbara Bush cookies… just wanted to let you know
And these butterscotch cookies look fantastic!
Hey, it worked just fine yesterday. I think Barbara Bush snuck in and changed the link.
Thanks Leigh Ann!
these sound really good. i love me some butterscotch. and that is sad about this poor cookie!!! i have some recipes that i wouldn’t even be able to guess where they came from. it’s perfectly understandable to say she got it from a good friend, which she most likely did.
I finally made these over the weekend and they are fantastic! Really easy to throw together in minimal time with stuff I had on hand (I only had to buy the rolled oats, which is something I should have in my kitchen anyway). My husband isn’t a chocolate fan, so I’m always looking for non-chocolate cookies. This recipe will be in regular rotation at our house.
I really love the Laura Bush cookies from 2000 … They’re always a GIANT hit when I make them …
Heck, they even entice my NON-baker male friend to take up baking … Now, he’s the belle of the cookie ball … LOL
I want to try the 2004 edition of Laura’s cookies … but I don’t know “where” to find dried sour cherries …
Cookiegate started in 2004 with Teresa Heinz Kerry … saying the cookie submitted in her name was NOT her recipe … some staffer did it … and the “cookies taste like crap” … LOL
Joanna, my thoughts exactly!
Leslie, I am glad you found another non-chocolate recipe for your collection.
T, thanks for the recommendation. I’m going to try the Cowboy cookies next.
As for dried sour cherries, if you can’t find them at your local Whole Foods or nearest specialty store, just use cherry flavored dried cranberries. They’re cheaper and will do in a pinch. If you want the real thing, order some on-line. Oh Nuts! Sells them for $9.99 a pound.
http://www.ohnuts.com/buy.cfm/bulk-dried-fruits/cherries-2/red-sour
I made these for my office yesterday — they were a huge hit! I loved how quick and simple they were to make, and a crowd-pleaser to boot! Thanks for sharing!