Coffee Shop Craze

I love coffee shops. They are some of my favorite places in the world. The vibes, food, and people are like nothing else you'll ever experience - no matter what coffee shop you are in. They all have different meanings to different people. For me, coffee shops represent friendship and amazing conversation as well as peace and tranquility.

The past five or so years, my hometown's local coffee shop has been a place of incredible memories. A few times a week, especially in the summer months, we would all get up early and meetup at the coffee shop. We went so often that we all developed regular orders.

Elly: Medium Unsweetened Ice Tea and a Coffee Cake muffin
Sabrina: Medium Mocha Iced Coffee with cream sugar and a chocolate glazed donut
Kate: Medium Hazelnut Coffee and an Everything bagel with egg and bacon

We could (and do) spend hours just sitting in the corner of the shop my the huge display window. It's amazing how many things you find to talk about despite already knowing every aspect of each others lives.

Coffee shops spark new and deep conversations. That's where we tend to discuss schooling, jobs, and more often than not, life and the meaning of the universe. I've never been sure why, but coffee shops bring out intelligent conversations. Maybe it is just the common nerd coming out in us; fulfilling the hipster stereotype of glasses, coffee, and Apple products.

But coffee shops aren't all about catching up with friends either. In my college town, I go to coffee shops for the atmosphere, content peace and quiet. There's something therapeutic about sitting with a hot beverage and a cheese danish while watching strangers walk in and out without a second thought.

They are an easy way to get out. Especially if you are someone like me who tends to spend most days without going outside or even talking to another human, coffee shops can be a new change of pace.

In reality, you can sit on your laptop in a coffee shop just as well as you can in your bedroom. Although, in a coffee shop you feel more productive and like a better citizen. No idea how that works, but all I know is that it is a great solution when you need to get out, but have no where to go to.

Nothing special, but still meaningful.

Much love,
Elly


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Vanishing Oatmeal Bar Cookies

My mother was never a very good cook. She is known for only making about ten different meals and burning every single one of them. However, there is one food she has been making for years that I actually really enjoy. Of course, it is a dessert. (My dang sweet tooth!) It is a recipe for vanishing oatmeal cookies. 

Vanishing is the perfect way to describe them. (Omnomnom!) They literally taste like heaven and here's the kicker: the recipe that she holds dear is actually the recipe on the bottom of the lid on a Quaker Oats Oatmeal container.

Today my sweet tooth was particularly annoyed since there were no sweet treats in the house, so I decided to bake the cookies myself. In case you've never seen that lid, can't read it, or simply don't buy the same brand of oatmeal as me, below you can see the recipe, some pictures if how mine turned, and little tips and tricks that I used to bake the cookies!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) + 5 tbsp butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 cups oats
1 cup raisins (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy.

• TIP: Make sure to use the full amount of butter. If you miss the 5 tbsp your cookies will taste dry/bland. 

2. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.

• TIP: If you have trouble mixing the butter and sugars, add in the eggs and vanilla to make the mixture smoother. 

3. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well.

• TIP: Add the flour slowly. If all is added at once it will become difficult to mix in properly. 

4. Add oats and raisins; mix well.

• TIP: Raisins are 100% optional. My family never made these cookies with them, but I left them in the recipe in case you wanted to have them. 

5. Bake 30 to 35 minutes in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

• TIP: I prefer only leaving the cookie bars in the oven for about 25 minutes. It leaves them more moist and rich tasting. 
• TIP: If you prefer cookies instead of bars, place balls of the dough on cooking sheets. The recipe claims that it makes 4 dozen, though I've only ever made the bars. 

6. Let cookies cool and enjoy!

• TIP: I only let them cool for a minute or two. They taste amazing when they are still warm and ever so slightly gooey! 

I hope you enjoy making your cookie bars! My brother used to take them into school purposely because kids wouldn't pick them up, leaving more for him to take back home! They may not look very appetizing, but the second kids catch on to how good they taste, they keep the secret! More cookies for themselves! 

Nothing special, but still meaningful.

Much Love,
       Elly


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