
Today my honey and I are celebrating 10 years of marriage! It’s hard to believe that a decade has passed since I married my polar opposite, but somehow this life we’ve made together works.
Over the years I’ve learned to appreciate his laser focus on safety and practical footwear. He’s learned to accept my cookbook sprawl and turbulence in the kitchen. While there are some things we’ll never agree on (best to-go coffee, keychain flotsam [I collect, he hates], who loves our dogs more) there are some very strong and present alikes that keep our hearts tied together.
One of those things – cookies. We both agree they’re super important for a happy marriage. His favorite cookie in all the land is homemade oatmeal-chocolate chip, so this post is for him.
His/Hers



Since I’m all about getting creative with cookie add-ins, I made these two ways. My version has cashews, soft caramel and a sprinkling of fleur de sel. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Mark sampling my souped-up version. He’s usually such a purist, but he loves the cashew-caramel version, too!

These cookies are buttery, vanilla-scented and slightly puffy with crisp edges. If you decide to go the cashew-caramel route, I suggest using block soft caramel, like this kind from King Arthur Flour. It spreads and pools during baking and it remains soft and chewy after the cookies are cooled.

So, there you have it. One of the great secrets to a happy marriage. I know it’s not easy living with me, especially during cookbook-writing phase. And sometimes I just wish hubby would stop popping his toes repeatedly when I’m trying to read at night. But if that’s the worst of it, we’ll be right on track for 10 more years.
At least.
I love you, husband.
Puffy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Source: adapted from Quaker Oats
Yield: 22-24 cookies
Prep: 30 minutes, total time about 55 minutes
1/2 cup plus 6 tablespoons/197g unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup/156g light brown sugar, tightly packed
1/2 cup/100g granulated white sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp/5g vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups/210g all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon/7g baking soda
1/2 teaspoon/4g fine sea salt
3 cups/242g quick cooking oats
1 cup/177g semisweet chocolate chips
Additional semisweet chips, up to 1/2 cup/88g
- Heat oven to 350F. Line two baking sheets (or four, if you have them) with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars together at medium speed with an electric hand mixer until creamy.
- Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Add to butter mixture and beat until just combined.
- Add oats and chocolate chips. Mix on low speed until oats are incorporated and chips are evenly dispersed.
- Place one tablespoon of dough on a lined baking sheet and then place another tablespoon directly on top (this will be approximately 26g total). Stud dough with additional chocolate chips. Repeat process, spacing cookies 3-inches apart and place no more than 6 cookies total on each baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Allow cookies to cool on pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Cashew-caramel variation
1 dough recipe Puffy Oatmeal-Chocoalte Chip Cookies (above)
100g block soft caramel cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 oz. whole unsalted roasted cashews
Fleur de sel
- Make cookie batter and place on baking sheets as directed. Stud tops of cookies with caramel pieces and cashews in addition to the 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Bake for 12-15 minutes and sprinkle with pinches of fleur de sel directly after removing from the oven. Cool as previously directed.

They look delicious! I think I prefer the ones with cashews but will probably end up eating them all the same. And, congrats on your anniversary!! 😀 xx
http://www.thisbakergirlblogs.com
I love this post, Heather! HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY to you and your husband, Mark! Cookie-love is definitely a sound foundation for a happy marriage:) XOXO!
Happy 10 years!!! And here is to many more cookie filled years together!
Aww love this post!! Both cookie versions look awesome!
You are amazing. I love your blog!! Today is my mom's birthday so a happy day, indeed. Congrats on ten years!!! Many more
So Sweet! My hubby and I are complete opposites also! I love both versions of this cookie!
This is such a cute post. I hope you have many more memories which are filled with love and chocolate chip cookies
Happy anniversary! These cookies look like the perfect way to celebrate! 🙂
This post made me go awwww! Happy anniversary to you both =)
Happy anniversary! I'm a new reader and love all your posts. Funnily enough, my husband's all-time favorite cookie is also oatmeal chocolate chip. I've never tried them jazzed up with other add-ins, but I'm sure I would love it.
Lovely cookies and gorgeous portraits!
Cheers,
Rosa
Such a sweet post. Love it! Happy Anniversary!!!!!
Just to wish happy sweet anniversary; and I love your this post especially the His / Hers! It is not easy to stay long in marriage life and I like to wish you again many many 10 years of happy marriage life together.
That's such a cute post, I love it! I also think I would love the caramel/cashew variety of the cookies. There's something about chocolate/nuts/caramel that you can never go wrong with!
The plain puffy version looks awesome, but I am all about the loaded one! Plus, cashews and caramel are my favorites!
Congrats on 10 years!! I hope you guys have a great day!
"turbulence in the kitchen" love that!
I can destroy a kitchen in mere minutes, all in the name of creating something delicious, so I can totally relate.
Happy Anniversary!
Congrats on the big 10, Heather!
What a cute post.
Those cookies are over the top – gotta try your version. xo
Those cashew ones looks amazing! Yum! What a fab idea!
This recipe looks great and I love your post. It totally reminds me of me and my boyfriend, whose name is also Mark!
I really don't like oatmeal cookies, but I found a recipe that I love. It's from The Flying Biscuit cookbook. They are a famous restaurant in Atlanta. Have you ever heard of them? The recipe uses regular oats, not instant, and you grind them up in a food processor first.
Aww this is such a sweet post. And they have that saying "Opposites attract" for a reason right?
These cookies look awesome! But I think I'm with your husband on the cookie route. I'm a purist when it comes to add-ins.
Congratulations on your anniversary! I'd love to try your husband's version of the cookie. I'm married to a man with very different tastes as well, and it definitely keeps life interesting.
Sweet and funny.
Awh so sweet. The best things are said with a few words and a delicious cookie!
Deirdre @ http://www.thekitschcook.blogspot.com
Happy Anniversary and I enjoyed your cookie recipe!! I need to try that one. Thanks for sharing your recipe and your sweet story! Sandy
Happy Anniversary! I'm so excited to try this recipe, and even more excited for your second book!
Congrats to you and your husband! These cookies look delicious.
cashews, Yes!!!! I love the his and hers collage xo
I can dig oatmeal in any shape or form as far as we talk about delicious cakes. Love the photos, I just hope my wife prepares equally nice cookies 🙂
Choc chips + cashews = yummo! What is it about choc chip cookies? I just never get tired of them!
Heather, I made the classic puffy version of these today and they are phenomenal! Oatmeal CC is my sweetheart's favorite and your fluffy adaptation is now a staple in my home. 🙂 Everyone loved them straight from the oven.. and then again for nighttime snacking. 😉 Perfection! Also, congratulations on ten sparkling years with your hubby! I wish you a lifetime of sweet happiness. 🙂 Hugs and blessings to you!
So sweet- congratulations on ten years! I had to laugh at the his and hers keychains- my husband can't understand in the slightest why I have to have so many keys and mini cards and stuff on mine. The cookies look delicious- especially the souped up version! Thank you bringing beauty to this corner of the web!