Bite with Belkys: 2004 Presidential Cookie Cook-Off

The Chefs: Gregory Hutto of Johnson and Wales University cooks up Laura Bush's recipe and Brett Uniss of Johnson and Wales University cooks up a recipe submitted by Teresa Heinz Kerry's staffers

The Dish: Laura Bush's Oatmeal-Chocolate Chunk Cookies versus a recipe submitted by Teresa Heinz Kerry's staffers for Pumpkin Spice Cookies

• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups light-brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 3 cups quick oats (not old-fashioned)
• 2 cups chopped walnuts
• 1 1/2 packages (8 ounces each) chocolate chunks or chips (3 cups)
• 2 cups coarsely chopped dried sour cherries (or cranberries)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. With electric mixer, cream butter and both sugars. Beat in eggs one at a time, then beat in vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and oats, then slowly beat until blended. Stir in walnuts, chocolate, and cherries or cranberries. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Makes about 8 dozen.

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (from 15-ounce can)
• **note, do not use pumpkin pie filling
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup raisins

Heat oven to 375 degrees. With electric mixer, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg, pumpkin and vanilla. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and allspice. Stir into pumpkin mixture. Stir in chopped walnuts and raisins. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a well-greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden on edges.

Makes about 5 dozen.

Contact: bnerey@wsvn.com

Johson And Wales University
http://www.jwu.edu/florida/
305-892-7000
1701 NE 127Th Street
North Miami, FL 33181