In 1992, Family Circle Magazine inaugurated a head-to-head cookie-baking challenge that has become a fixture of US presidential campaigns ever since. The competition began in response to Hillary Clinton’s throwaway comment that she supposed she “could have stayed home and baked cookies.” And with that a new bake-off contest was born. Hillary submitted a recipe for chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies (in which she democratically substitued vegetable oil for butter); Barbara Bush, the wife of incumbent George H.W. Bush, offered up a more classic version. Hillary emerged the victor. In more recent years, Melania’s star-shaped sugar biscuits — notable for a dash of sour cream – lost out to Bill Clinton’s crowd-pleasing oatmeal cookies.
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
- 2 teaspoons vanilla essence
- 12 oz pack of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4
Blend butter and sugar until fluffy and light, then beat in the eggs. Sift the flour, baking soda and salt into the butter mix. Stir in oats, vanilla and chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoon onto a greased baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden.
Bakes 3 dozen cookies
