'Dancers Disco' Oatmeal Cookies

Yesterday my cousin, her boys and I flew to her sister (yes, another cousin) and her family up in San Francisco. When I told my little niece (aka my mini me), she told her sisters and brother: "Auntie Mai Linh is going to Dancers Disco!" It took me some time to understand what she was saying and what she meant. But after saying it out loud, I heard what she was talking about. Dancers Disco almost looks like San Francisco!

up: View on the Golden Gate and Downtown from Alcatraz Island, today

down: Christmas tree on Fisherman's Wharf, today

For Christmas I was planning on making boxes of baked goods to give to my aunties, uncles and my grandma. So I figured to make some test batches. After baking for hours and hours I made a lot of cookies! A double batch of oatmeal cookies from scratch and  a batch of snickerdoodles from a box. I ended baking with making some plain and cranberry scones. After seeing the dozens of cookies and scones I choose to bring some to Dancers Disco aka San Francisco, to share with my cousins and their families.

The Snickerdoodle cookies went to my nieces Christmas party at school, with frosting and sprinkles. And half of the cookie and scone batches I left at home. For my 姐姐(big sister aka older cousin) and the kids to enjoy. The scones are just my normal sweetened scone recipe, with some added cranberries. And the Oatmeal cookies, they are fabulous! Maybe if you read my other oatmeal cookie recipe (Going bananas for Oatmeal cookies), you've heard about my obsession with these cookies.

"Ever since I visited my family in Callie in the summer of 2012 I'm hooked on oatmeal cookies. But I never had the guts to try it myself. I remember the sweet sugary tasty delights I ate during my months in CA." 

So here they are, the recipe to this divine yummy! So staying true to my little niece, I name this recipe after her idea of San Francisco.

Dancers Disco Oatmeal Cookies
(San Francisco Oatmeal Cookies)
About 4 dozen cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) of butter, softened
1 1/2 cups of light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup of all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3 cups of rolled oats
1 1/3 cup (half the package) of Heath Bits 'O Brickle Toffee Bits
1 cup of Sweetened Coconut Flakes
1 cup of dried cranberries (or dried cherries)

Note: For all your Dutchies (and other non-Americans), I'm not sure if you can find all the ingredients at your local market. So the moment I get home I'll try to look for substitutes! And also for a healthier variation on this beloved cookie! Just stay tuned....

Heat oven to 375°F/ 190°C. Lightly grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper. Beat butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; beat until blended.

Stir in oats, toffee bits and coconut, if desired, with spoon. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart onto prepared sheet. The dough can be pretty thick, so press the dough a bit down. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool 1 minute; remove to wire rack.

I brought my cousin 1 1/2 box of cookies and 1/2 a box of scones. Now, not even 24 hours later, there is 1 scone left and around 1/2 a box of cookies. That's how good they are! Enjoy!