Friday, February 22, 2013

When I walk through Eminönü, I can’t resist the overflowing bins of brightly colored candies.
 
There’s the Turkish version of M&Ms, gummy candies galore, sprinkles and a variety of chocolate candies.

When I recently stopped at Sancar for my regular baking supplies, my guys let me sample a new blend of mini chocolate chips in white, milk and bitter chocolate. There also were new raspberry-flavored white chocolate chips that I tasted and liked. What I love is that I can simply ask for 250 grams of something or let the guys fill a bag until I say “yeter (enough).”

As soon as I tasted the mixed chocolate chips, I thought they would taste perfectly in an oatmeal cookie.

Once I got home, I started looking through some cookbooks and online and found what I was looking for – Monster Cookies – by the Pioneer Woman. But I tweaked my cookies to use the fun ingredients I had on hand from my shopping trips in Eminönü. Thus, my Eminönü Cookies were created!

You too can use whatever ingredients you have – candies, chopped up candy bars, dried fruits, peanut butter chips, mint chips, and mixed nuts. But trust me, shopping in Eminönü is much more fun than your ol’ boring grocery store.

Once you make these playful cookies, you won’t be able to resist them either!

 Afiyet olsun!

Eminönü Cookies – AKA Turklish Monster Cookies
Yields: 5 dozen
Ingredients:
1 ½      c.         (160 g.)            oats
½         c.         (40 g.)              coconut flakes
½         c.         (75 g.)              nuts, your choice
½         c.         (100 g.)            Turkish M&Ms called Bon Bons
1          c.         (175 g.)            mini chocolate chips
2          c.         (90 g.)              corn flakes
½         c.         (100 g.)            granulated sugar
1 ½      c.         (340 g.)            brown sugar
8          oz.       (225 g.)            butter, room temperature
2          ea.                                large eggs, room temperature
1 ½      c.         (240 g.)            all-purpose flour
1          tsp.                               baking powder
½         tsp.                               baking soda
2          tsp.                               salt                  

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars until smooth.

Add the eggs, one at a time. Blending well after each addition.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Add to the mixing bowl and mix until combined.

Add the oats. Mix.

Then, add the fun ingredients. You can vary the kind of nuts or candies that you use.

Mix just until combined. Do not overmix.

Preheat oven to 350 F/175 C. Use a cookie scoop or two spoons to form the cookies. Place on a cookie sheet about an inch apart.
Bake the cookies about 8-10 minutes until lightly golden brown on the edges in a preheated oven.

Tagged: , , ,

9 comments:

jaz@octoberfarm said...

what doesn't turkey have? well, besides pork. i would go crazy in those stores!

bilgirehberim said...

it looks like really delicious

Where is Istanbul said...

Generally, Turkish cuisine is very improved in cookies such as seem above :)

Joy said...

@Joyce, very true! We might not have much access to pork but we do have a lot of other fun items.

@ bilgirehberim, thank you! Hope you have the chance to try making them too.

@Where is Istanbul, Just takes a little adapting at times. :-)

tasteofbeirut said...

I love fun cookies! especially when you get to pick the fun stuff from such neat looking bins! yeah! lately I see a lot of dried fruits here, all kinds, what a thought!

staceymacey said...

Does this shop sell colored licorice? The kind that is different colored straws with a filling (sometimes covered in sugar crystals). I am always on the hunt for that stuff when I travel. Its almost impossible to find in the states, and when I do find it, its super expensive.

Joy said...

@tasteofbeirut, you really could play around with this recipe and add all kinds of ingredients. Happy baking!

@stacey, licorice candies are not one that I see very often here. Sometimes I have seen the candy coated ones I think you are talking about, but more in the shape of small rectangle pieces. It's really hit and miss. There's always something new in this neighborhood.

Unknown said...

What are the Turkish translations for baking soda and baking powder? Couldn't determine the difference last time I was there and will be returning this summer with the hope of doing some baking. Thanks!!

Joy said...

@Sara, Thanks for stopping by. These ingredients are easy to confuse.

baking powder (kabartma tozu)
baking soda (sodyum bikarbona)

You can readily find these for bulk in Eminonu at most of the stalls. Just ask for a small bag like 50 grams. Or at the supermarkets, you can find them sold in small packets like yeast in the baking aisle.