Chocolate Chip ‘Chicago’ Crunch Cookies

There’s Chicago hot dogs and Chicago deep dish pizza; but did you know there are Chicago cookies? I sure didn’t until The Baron’s mom, Marnee, shared with me this recipe for Chocolate Chip ‘Chicago’ Crunch Cookies. These cookies were delicious and chockful of goodies with texture. Oats, crisp rice cereal, walnuts and chocolate chips are thrown into a buttery cookie dough with a touch of cinnamon before baking up to soft, sweet perfection…

These cookies are definitely going on my holiday list to make every year. What’s great about them is that they are versatile so you can substitute other ingredients to mix in. It makes for a good base recipe for drop cookies and the batter also freezes well too. For the holidays, make the dough and portion out into balls then freeze. You can bake the cookies as you need them so fresh baked cookies are easier to make anytime you want them!

• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) margarine
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) PLUGRA butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup crushed crisp rice cereal
• 1 cup instant oats
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 12-16 ounces of chocolate chips OR chocolate chunks

• Preheat oven to 350.

  Beat together butter, margarine, both sugars, egg, milk and vanilla.

  Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda in another bowl.

• Add dry ingredients alternately with oil to the creamed mixture, ending with dry. Stir in crushed cornflakes, oats, chocolate and nuts.

  Drop with small or medium scoop onto parchment lined sheets. Bake in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes depending on size.