Cookies: the universal favourite!

Who does not love a perfectly baked cookie! Crispy from the outside and soft and chewy from the inside; a cookie is indeed an irresistible delight. From Oreos to Bourbons, and from bakery styled cookies to plain old salt ones, everyone has a favourite cookie. These baked goodies are typically very small, and are flat and sweet. Made up of flour, sugar and fats, they are also flavoured with add-ins like oats, nuts, chocolate chips, etc.

It is a cookie or a biscuit?

There is not honestly a huge difference between the two terms. A crisp cookie is termed as a biscuit. Similarly, chewier biscuits are called cookies. Often, a lot of cookies are named by their shape. Date squares or bars are some examples.

Sandwich biscuits are also common variations. These are filled with jam, marshmallow, chocolate, etc. for an added flavor.

Both cookies and biscuits are usually served with milk, tea or coffee. Often, these are dunked in the beverage for added flavor. This also softens the texture of the cookie.

Also Read The divine and royal Baklava: a complete history and recipe

The history of cookies

Before cookies, there were hard cookie-like wafers that were common. In fact, these have existed ever since baking has been documented. These baked goods were really popular. They were easy to carry around and travel, and also had a long shelf life. However, these were not as sweet as a modern day cookie.

It was in the 7^th century in Persia that cookies first originated. This was only after sugar became a common commodity in the area. They then spread to Europe. By the 14^th century, there became common in all parts of Europe. Everyone from royal families to street vendors was now eating cookies.

This was also the time when global travel became common. Cookies made for a good travel companion. In those times, they were the modern equivalent of travel cakes.

The Dutch popularized cookies in New Amsterdam in 1620s. The Dutch word ‘koekje’ was then anglicized to cookie.

In the 18^th century, the modern cookie recipe became common. This uses the classic creaming method.

Also Read The Perfect Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Recipe

How to make your own cookies at home

Cookies make for the perfect treat for holidays and festivals. Simply wrap them up to present them as gifts to your loved ones.

There are endless recipes and combinations of cookies out there. From butter cookies to salt one, and from chocolate chip to raisin and oatmeal ones; you could try out a new recipe each day and still have more recipes to try out.

Also Read Yummy Indian snacks recipes to try out

Watching your calories

Though super delicious, cookies are loaded with high calories. They also have a lot of fat content in them. For people who consume cookies in the morning, low sugar cookies are recommended. Also, try and eat cookies that are loaded with oats and nuts. These make sure that you also intake healthy fats along with all the sugar and carbohydrates.

Read on to find a super easy and delicious recipe of honey and oat cookies. Super delicious and dairy and egg-free; these are a breeze to whip up. You can spice things up with a little ginger, and enjoy these cookies with your evening tea. And since these use no extra sugar at all, these are good to try out too! The oats and nuts make sure that you are eating a power packed cookie, that will keep you feeling full for a long time.

Easy recipe for honey and oat cookies:

Ingredients

100 grams rolled oats

50 grams refined flour

¼ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

A spoon of vanilla essence

60 grams melted coconut oil

¼ cup honey

30 ml soy milk

Ginger powder, to taste or fresh grated ginger

Sliced almonds, optional

Chocolate chips, optional

Raisins, optional

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180 C. Line your cookie tray with some parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, flour, baking powder, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon. If you are adding in any nuts or chocolate chips, add them in too.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the melted oil, honey, milk, and ginger.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones. Mix together using a spatula.
5. If the mixture seems to be thin and runny, freeze it for around 10 minutes before shaping the cookies.
6. Use a small ice cream scoop to portion out the dough onto the baking sheet. Spread it out using the back of a spoon, till it is around 1 cm thick. Make sure that you leave space between the cookies since these will spread.
7. Bake for around 10-12 minutes, or till the sides are nice and golden. Don’t wait for the cookie to brown completely, or else you will end up burning them.
8. Remove the baking tray from your oven. Let the cookies cool down on the tray itself. After 10 minutes, you can de-mould the cookies. Lift them up very gently with a spatula. Let them cool fully on a rack.
9. Once cooled, transfer the cookies to an airtight container. Store for around 3-4 days at room temperature.

Other variations:

Honey and oatmeal cookies are a classic flavor combination. You can, however, go as creative as you want to. Feel free to try out combinations that you prefer. Because it is honestly really hard to go wrong with a good cookie!

Try out chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, cumin cookies, biscotti and snickerdoodles if you like regular cookies. The possibilities are endless!

So which ones are you trying out this weekend? Let us know in the comment section below!