The Privileged Life: Best-Ever Triple-Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies!

“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Ephesians 5:2)

In the United States, May 15 is “National Chocolate Chip Day.” And, World Cookie Day is August 4.

But as far as I’m concerned, every day is “Chocolate Chip Cookie Day.” Give me a warm, pancake-sized confection oozing with big, dark chunks and pecans…and I’ll just melt right along with the chocolate.

Whatever the official day, this is as good an excuse as any to share my “secret” cookie recipe, based on the infamous “Neiman Marcus cookie recipe”—which was developed by the department store chain after a myth/legend about a miffed customer.^* (The NM recipe is pretty good by itself, but I had to add more chocolate…you can never have too much chocolate….)

I started calling them “Welcome Home” cookies because they’re perfect to bake-and-take to new neighbors. Also, you can shape the dough into “hockey pucks” and freeze them—then pop them into a hot oven to serve as a quick dessert to unexpected company.

As you peek your head out from pandemic life to invite others into your home, remember that hospitality is a key element of the Christian walk—it’s tucked in there right after the “more spiritual” gifts listed in Romans 12. We need to always be ready to welcome others with warmth and love.

Let’s follow in the footsteps of those who practiced genuine hospitality to Jesus in the Scriptures, including Peter’s mother-in-law, the Martha/Mary/Lazarus siblings in Bethany, and little Zaccheus. As we serve others now, we serve Christ Himself. The writer of Hebrews implores us not to forget to entertain strangers, “for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2).

So keep this recipe handy, along with some ready-to-bake dough—it’s a crowd-pleaser, and I imagine even angels would like these cookies, too.

Jesus, our Lord and Savior, may You always be an honored Guest residing in our homes and hearts. Give us willing spirits to keep our doors open. Make us generous, warm, and inviting hosts, so that Your message and Holy Spirit will be welcomed in the hearts of all those who enter our homes. As we serve in Your name, Amen.

“Welcome Home” Triple-Chocolate Oatmeal Pecan Cookies

1 cup salted butter, slightly softened (not margarine)
1 cup plain sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups quick oats (not instant or old-fashioned)
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
Half of (12-oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate chips (Nestlé’s or Ghirardelli)
Half of (11.5-oz.) package milk chocolate chips (Nestlé’s or Ghirardelli)
Half of (10- to 12-oz.) package semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks (or 5 to 6 oz. of favorite dark chocolate bar, cut into chunks)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl (I use a stand mixer), cream together butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla; add eggs and mix until smooth. Stir in flour, oats, baking powder, soda, and salt until blended. Combine with pecans and chocolates. With hands, roll into golfball-sized balls, flatten them into “hockey pucks,” and place on an ungreased cookie sheet (I get great results with my baking stone). Bake around 12-14 minutes or more until very lightly browned…watch carefully (usually takes around 14-18 minutes on baking stone). Remove from oven and let cool for about two minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring to wire rack to finish cooling. Makes 3-4 dozen very large cookies or 4-5 dozen regular-size cookies. Notes: For later use, freeze some of your flattened raw dough balls on a pan, then put them in zip-lock plastic bags for freezer storage; when you want a fresh batch, place them on a cookie sheet and bake 15+ minutes for “instant cookies”! And, save half-bags of chips for a future batch. (Recipe from Nancy C. Williams)

#theprivilegedlife #lightbournecreative #JesusChrist #thankful #gratefulheart #prayerfor2021 #prayforhealing #thankyouJesus #thankfultoGod #privilegedchildofGod #privileged #gratitude #abundantlife #Christianprivilege #Christianlife #Christian #theprayerlife #love #loveJesus #prayerforendofpandemic #family #blessed #grateful #celebratelife #givethanks #faithlife #loveofGod #freedominfaith #joy #joyoftheLord #prayforchristians #walkthetalk #forgiveness #walkingwithjesus #hope #hopeinChrist #hopeinJesus #childoftheKing #thanksgiving #importanceofprayer #Christianlove #love #evangelism #shareJesus #ambassadorforJesus # #KingJesus #chocolate #chocolatechip #cookies #nationalchocolatechipcookieday #pecans #chocolatechipcookies #cookierecipe #bestcookiesever #oatmealchocolatechiprecipe #neimanmarcus #hospitality #postpandemichospitality #postpandemicparty #welcomehome #welcomemat #readytobakecookies #frozencookiedough #joyofhospitality

^*https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/9465-the-250-cookie-recipe