Experimental Cookies

I'm moving on Thursday for the summer to be in SC with Olivier so I'm packing and trying to use up my pantry. I noticed that I had flour, sugar, oatmeal, raisins, and butter in the fridge. So, what else could I make other than oatmeal raisin cookies!? However, I only had whole wheat flour and I didn't have any baking soda since I had already packed it with the rest of my spices. Here's what I did...and I'll include what you can do if you do have baking soda. ;)

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (if not baking soda then up to 1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (if no baking soda then 1/4 cup ginger ale or other soda*)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. You can make these are bars in a greased 13x9 or as drop cookies - I did cookies.

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar, until smooth. Beat in the egg then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda (or soda), cinnamon and salt: stir into the creamed mixture. Fold in the quick oats and raisins. Spread evenly into the prepared pan or drop in 2 Tablespoon scoops for big chewy cookies.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are starting to brown. Let cool in pan before cutting into bars or let cool on wire rack for cookies.


*No, I didn't add soda just because it's called baking soda...the bubbles from carbonation provide leavening for the dough. Any carbonate beverage would work, but I happen to think that the clear color and ginger taste of ginger ale makes it perfect. I always keep it on hand for tummy aches anyways. :P