Crispy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

The cookie I chose for today was inspired by an email from a fellow cookie baker who had been looking for a crispy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. He’d made the Neiman Marcus cookie, but wasn’t thrilled with the texture and described it as too soft, almost cake-like.

I wanted to bake a really crunchy/crispy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, so I pulled out an old King Arthur recipe and made a few modifications. This recipe is basically the same as the crispy oatmeal cookie recipe in the King Arthur Cookie Companion, only this one has chocolate chips and lacks spices and raisins. It’s a very hearty cookie and I’m going to have to use a word I don’t like saying but which is the perfect description – “toothsome”.

Crispy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

6 tablespoons vegetable shortening (72 grams)
1/3 cup unsalted butter (77 grams)
1 cup dark brown sugar (220 grams)
½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
1 large egg
¼ cup water
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups rolled oats (300 grams)
1 ¼ cups all purpose flour (150 grams)
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped toasted pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, cream together shortening, butter, both sugars, egg, water, vanilla, salt and baking soda. Stir in oats and flour. Stir in chocolate chips and toasted pecans (if using).
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto lined or non-stick baking sheets. Bake for 12-14 (check at 12!)minutes. Let cool on a rack. For flatter cookies, bonk with back of spatula.

Makes 45 Cookies (theoretically)