Cross Country- Oatmeal Cookies and Blog Award

This morning was a cloudy, and gloomy morning that turned into a half way decent looking day, here in South Florida, but temperature only at about 68 degrees F. My daughter dropped off my little grandson at my place for a couple hours so she could go take care of errands, son-in-law had his only 1 day off, and he had to take care of things, as well. My little sweetheart came all set with his "Finding Nemo" CDVD, as he calls it, and I knew I didn't have his favorite little "Goldfish" crackers snack for him, so I thought, I better start making something real quick and yummy for him. Sure enough I had Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolates, but no chocolate chips. Found some quick cooking oats, and I knew I had the rest of the ingredients...so why not, some chocolate chunk cookies, instead of chocolate chip cookies?

Ready to jump into action, and in less than 30 minutes, warm cookies were waiting for my little guy, with a big smile on his face. For some reason, every time I'm looking for a recipe, that I have just about all the ingredients for, is the "Best Recipes" book, the latest copyright, 1982, that have a compiled great list from backs of boxes, cans, jars, but you really have to do some adaptation to make it up to date by switching, and adding ingredients, which I love to do, and adapt it my way. Interesting, about the Mazola corn oil, which the original recipe calls for 3/4 cups? and no butter?...well, I quickly narrowed the amount down to 1/3 cup of vegetable oil, instead, and I knew it would need at least a little butter, so I added 1/2 unsalted butter, and had to confidence of knowing it will turn out better, than with all oil, which would make it too wet, as well!...The result, was a light, perfect, chocolaty goodness with healthy oats!

Oatmeal Apple Muffins

Just as I have mentioned, I did make these yummy Oatmeal Apple Muffins, that I adapted from Monet,

on her anecdotesandapplecores blog. I did not have any pears on hand, so I used Granny Smith apples instead.

Also, I got tagged by my friend, Lizzy, from thatskinnychickcanbake  and will answer the questions and hope not to bore you good people  out there. First, on with this delish and easy adapted recipe. Thanks Monet, and I want you to know that I actually made this as a tribute to you! I know you are in Tampa now, with your sister Susanne. Our prayers, and love go out to you...for Baby Ryan's healing.

Oatmeal Apple Muffins

adapted from anecdotesandapplecores

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1/3 cup buttermilk

(or 1 Tbsp. white vinegar add to 1/3 cup milk)

2 Granny Smith apples peeled, diced

and juice of 1 lemon squeezed on it

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and the spices together with a large spatula or spoon. In a medium bowl, add eggs, and sugars, and whisk by hand for a minute or two. Add more milk to the buttermilk or the "mock" mixture of the vinegar and milk, to make 1 cup total. Whisk that in with the sugar mixture Add the sugar, and egg mixture, folding it into the flour mixture, and fold in the diced apple with the excess juice from the lemon.

Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray, and divide the mixture evenly. Top with the Oatmeal crumble, on bake for 18-20 minutes, till top gets nice and crunchy, and golden brown in color.

Oatmeal Crumble Topping

1/3 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup light brown sugar

1/3 cup all purpuse flour

4 Tbsp cold butter

In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients together, and cut butter into little dice pieces. Add them into the mixture, and carefully mix them with a pastry cutter, or fork until it resembles crumbs, and all pieces are combined, but not overmixed. Sprinkle evenly on all the 12 muffin batter tops, and bake. This keeps very nice for a few days, if there's any left over. It will still tastes fresh, and light.