Oatmeal Cookies

The past few days (at home) my cable, Internet and phone have all been out due to my lovely friend Comcast (GRRR). Normally this would not phase me if I had a good book to dive into, but alas I am almost done with Breaking Dawn (the last in the Twilight series. Which by the way I loved and eh hem, am reading for the 2nd time.. ssshhh don't tell anyone, K?? I know, don't say it, I have issues... but in my defense, the movie made me do it! he he I started to re-read Twilight again ....it had been so long I could not remember the details of it & wanted to compare it to the movie ... then I got sucked in again!).

So what is a girl to do when she is home, has no book and no TV to entertain her??? BAKE of course! I spent my "procrastination" time at work yesterday, searching for something to entertain me & bake for the evening. Of course there was so much to choose from, but because I had these ingredients on hand I decided to give these Oatmeal Cookies a spin. I found the recipe on Smitten Kitchen, who's site I absolutely love.... fantastic recipes and gorgeous photos. The original recipe is from Cooks Illustrated.I adapted the recipe & made the cookies Gluten Free (using Pamela's GF Flour Mix & Gluten Free Oats) but will post both versions. They were just lovely, light and crispy.. just as I prefer Oatmeal Cookies. (I am so not a fan of really heavy/cakey ones). Next time I would add some cinnamon, as I think it might just give it an extra kick.... Regardless, they were just delicious and probably the best oatmeal cookie I have made to date....

Crispy Salted Oatmeal Cookies
yields 24 cookies
Adapted from Cook’s Illustrated

1 cup all-purpose flour (for GF version, use 1c Pamela's Mix)
3/4 teaspoon baking powder (do not add BP, if using Pamela's)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (only 1/4 tsp for Pamela's)
1/4 teaspoon table salt
14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (Bobs Red Mill makes awesome GF Oats..)
1 c Chocolate Chips (I just added this on the fly, the recipe did not call for it)
1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt (for sprinkling on top)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and table salt in a medium bowl.

2. Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Scrape down bowl with rubber spatula, then add egg and vanilla and beat until incorporated. Scrape down bowl again. Add flour mixture gradually and mix until just incorporated and smooth. Gradually add oats and chocolate and mix until well incorporated.

3. Divide dough into 24 equal portions, each about 2 tablespoons. Roll between palms into balls, then place on lined baking sheets about 2 1/2 inches apart. Using fingertips, gently press down each ball to about ¾-inch thickness.

4. Sprinkle a flake or two of sea salt on each cookie

5. Bake until cookies are deep golden brown, about 13 to 16 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack to cool.