Sometimes called Everything But the Kitchen Sink Cookies, this recipe is from an old church cookbook from the 60's where they've simply 'Everything But Cookies.' They look plain Jane but are filled with goodies; one of our favorites!
If there is a story to tell about this recipe, it's that I forgot about the recipe for Everything But Cookies and should not have. It was one of the last of my text only recipes from the 1990's that I added to this blog when I recorded simply text; a list of ingredients and instructions and yes that was it; so much easier then too!
I re-discovered the recipe recently which is good; it needed to be refreshed and introduced to more people. Plus I do like to start making holiday cookies early and this year Everything But Cookies are now on my list...they should be on yours too!
Somehow, some way, this family favorite managed to slip through the cracks and the only other place it is recorded is in a tattered cookbook from a Catholic Church in Florissant, MO; actually it's a miracle that I even have it.
You know how some siblings can be, well, how can I say this nicely? Controlling? Yes, that would be one of my sisters; the controller of the memories.
She has everything; hand me downs of furniture, all of my mom's treasures including her cookbooks, all our family photos, I mean everything; she wouldn't even give me a photo of me with my dad! And she used to have the cookbook in question.
One day, many, many years ago, I borrowed it to make this Pasta Dish with Tomatoes and Broccoli (fantastic by the way) and well, I sort of forgot to give it back to her, on purpose.
I do not feel guilty, not one tiny little bit. While these little cookbooks can contain some dishes I will never make (boy did people love jello in the 60's), I remembered a couple of treasures and I could not let it go.
These cookies are among those treasures. Surely the title alludes to them being 'Everything But the Kitchen Sink Cookies' and a wise cook shortened that title to 'Everything But Cookies.' And these are not beauties either, nope, nor are they difficult to make. Here's what you'll need for ingredients: ( complete recipe at bottom of post).
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup quick cooking oats
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, use pecans if you prefer, toasted
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut, sweetened
- 1 cup lightly crushed cornflakes, I put them in a ziploc bag and gently run a rolling pin over them
They do require some time to chill and I suppose if you have more time than I did, they could have been formed a bit more perfectly. But I was running out of daylight (I'm gonna miss DST; it's good for photographers!).
BUT no one cares. No one will hand these cookies back to you and say, 'No Thank You,' they're not quite pretty enough. They look so Plain Jane that someone might take them out of courtesy but once they have a bite?
They might steal the whole tray. See, somewhere in that simple list of ingredients which includes toasted walnuts, coconut, and cornflakes is the most precious of all ingredients, magic. The shortbread base would be great all by itself but add some flavor and crunch? Perfection!
Everything But Cookies are a shortbread type cookie with a combination of ingredients that seriously delivers on taste. But you know what brings the magic? Cornflakes. They add a great crispy texture that is indescribable...you have to taste them to find out!
They remind me a bit of another favorite; these Potato Chip Cookies...this one has the same crunch from potato chips and a hint of salt and they are equally divine!
Those crumbled bits of cereal stay crisp in the dough and after they're baked they offer such great texture that if you're like me and my family you might consider these right up there with the world's best cookies. I kid you not. We love them. You will too!
More Favorite Shortbread Cookies
PIN IT! 'Everything But Cookies'
Everything But Cookies - Walnuts, Coconut, and Cornflakes
Creative Culinary
