Full Circle by Deb Joelle

They say a good writing technique is to go full circle in a story. Like ending your book with something similar to the opening  – the same setting, the same conversation, or even the same line. Since I began my reign as a Deb with a recipe for butter, I thought I’d leave you with a recipe that you could use that butter in – an original cookie recipe for you. Just to say thanks for hanging out with us all this year, and for being such a great support to us. So, here you go.

Deb Joelle’s Should-be Famous Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

8 TBS butter (homemade or otherwise!)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 large egg

1/4 butterscotch ice cream topping (or caramel)

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 cups old fashioned oats (the quick ones  kinda suck, but you could use them if that’s all you had)

1/3 cup dried cherries or cranberries, chopped

1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped (the sour ones are better than the sweet ones)

* You could use any dried fruit you like, but the more sour ones work better than sweet ones like raisins or apples.

Sift (unless you’re too lazy) the dry ingredients together – flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, salt. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix the butter, egg, sugar, vanilla, and ice cream topping until smooth. If your butter’s not soft, you can melt it, it doesn’t really hurt it, but don’t add hot butter directly to your egg or you’ll end up with scrambled eggs. Yum!

Mix wet and dry ingredients together, add the dried fruit, add the oats.

Spoon about a tablespoon for each cookie onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. They get harder/crispier as they cool, so don’t overcook them. My oven works great at 13 minutes, but I’m at sea level. You might do a test or two before baking them all.

I wish I could make a batch to share with y’all! Take care, and visit me at my own website, http://www.joelleanthony.com and I’m always over on Twitter. My name there is Joellewrites. Take care everyone and thanks so much for a great year!