Leaning Tower of Cookies

I'm a cookie fan. I love it when you open the door and the whole house is filled with the aroma of cookies As a kid (and even now), I take deep breathes while walking by a Famous Amos store. Just the smell itself makes you feel fuzzy inside.

It's not often that you see recipes for cookies using olive oil. This one does. To be honest, I was really surprised by how nice they turned out. They are addictive as well, and once you start, you can't stop! Cookies to me should be slightly crispy or crumby and shouldn't be cakey. Many times in the past, I baked cookies unsuccessfully with them turning out like mini rock cakes than cookies! My poor house mates then, looked at me with a big smile and finished them up with me looking anxiously. How sweet were they?

I strayed away from baking cookies for a while and filled the house with cakes instead. I guess I was disappointed. The stubborn strong willed spirit girl in me couldn't keep that for long... or perhaps it's because I hate failing and here I'm back again.. baking cookies and experimenting with different methods and ingrediants..and BOY am I enjoying it!

My verdict? This recipe is a keeper. I'm not a big fan of white chocolate but even this appealed to me! The olive oil gave it a lighter taste but still yummy as ever. It is also alot easier to manage the oil than butter as well. I even wondered what happened if I put flavoured oil in it? LOL. Chilli cookies? Lemon scented cookies?

The fact that I can eat without worrying too much about the butter content in cookies won me over big time, I will definitely use this recipe as a base for other variations.


Hazelnut White Chocolate Cookies (makes 36)
1 egg (room temp)
1/2 cup of light olive oil
1/2 cup of brown sugar (I think I added just slightly more than 1/2 cup)
1 cup plain flour
1/2 cup of self-raising flour
200grmas white choc
3/4 cups of chopped hazelnuts

1) Preheat oven 180degrees C. Smash hazelnuts with mortar and pestle. Fry in gently using the pan. Cool.
2) Using electric beater, beat egg, oil and sugar till thick and pale. Sift flours over it. Add white choc and hazelnuts.
3) Mix till combined
4) Using a teaspoon, shape them in balls. Place on lined baking trays. Press them down slightly (u can use a fork. I started with a fork and then grew lazy and used fingers instead!).
5) Bake for 12-15 mins till light golden. Remember to swap trays mid way through!
6) Cool slightly and transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Adapted from Taste (the original recipe was Pistachio white choc biscuits)