MiPies (Hand Pies): Pumpkin and Bananas Foster Filled

   Lately I've found myself lost in dealing with matters of the heart, family, life directions, and the list goes on. Basically, I've been in need of solid comfort and nothing helps me more than spending some time in the kitchen. With Fall upon is it's been the perfect time to create some hearty comfort foods. Over the last few days I've been getting my therapy by cooking Fall Risotto (Zucchini, Mushroom, and Carrot), Broccoli Cheddar Ale Soup, and some comforting desserts. When it comes to Fall desserts I'm at my peak of sugar high happiness. To me, there is nothing better than warm, spicy and decadent desserts with a good sugar-spice balance to warm the soul. 

There are so many recipes on my list to try, to make my own, and to devour. So many that I got a little overwhelmed but I picked a starting point! 

Hand Pies…which I have decided to call…MiPies

Almond Joy Pie

Sometimes I feel like a nut…sometimes I don't. In the case of desserts, I'm always a nut. 

A few birthday cakes...

Here are a few of the latest cakes I've done. 

Spiced Oatmeal Cookies

Finally, Fall is upon us and it's time for sugar and spice. We all know that and the beautiful colors are what make the season nice. 

Over the past few months I've been working on putting a family cookbook together. While doing so I've been looking over a few recipes. Doing so has lead to rediscovering dishes I had forgotten about and some I've never seen. Along with remembering certain dishes has come some great memories. It's in these moments that I realize food is so much more than a means of living, it's become a passion. From time to time I'll catch myself in a conversation about food and realize that I am just rambling on and on. It's like I'm in a trance or something. Crazy, but a very good crazy. 

I used cookie cutters to make these for a daily photo event on Instagram.

Anywho, back to the topic. When I was going through the cookie recipes I came across one titled Spiced Oatmeal Cookies. I knew instantly I would have to make them. I usually spice oatmeal cookies when I make them, but never thought about really adding spices to amplify the flavor. I LOVE a good oatmeal raisin cookie and what better way to have them than a family recipe! However, after reading through ALL of the recipe I realized it was titled as cookies, but was in fact a cake recipe. In time I think I'll try the cake recipe but for now I just wanted cookies. So, I decided I'd write up a recipe that combined the cake ingredients that I wanted and the traditional oatmeal raisin cookie recipe.

Yes, they do look like hamburgers. haha

In the first recipe I made (I decided to call them Dark and Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies) I added a bit more molasses. When I put in the molasses I thought about ginger and I couldn't resist but add some to the batter. They turned out delicious and chewy, but they weren't quite what I was looking for. The recipe below is for the Spiced Oatmeal Cookies, but I added a note on how to make them Dark and Spicy.

Spiced Oatmeal Raisin Dough

In the second recipe I adjusted a few more ingredients. I added another egg, changed the ginger to coves, and added a little more oats. They turned our GREAT. Soft, chewy, and spicy! 

Enjoy!

Spiced Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

1 stick of butter - softened

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 eggs - room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 Tablespoons molasses

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1 1/2 cups oats

1 cup raisins

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350º

1. In the bowl of a mixer beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.

2. While butter and sugars mix, in a separate bowl whisk the flour, soda, powder, salt and spices. Set aside.

3. Add the eggs, vanilla and molasses to the egg mixture.

4. Slowly add the flour mixture.

5. Fold in the oats and then the raisins.

6. Drop on by the Tablespoon on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake 10-12 minutes.

To make Dark and Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies:

Add 1/4 teaspoon ginger and 2 more Tablespoons molasses.