Catherine Sundararajan

Conchas after being baked

Every year when the cold weather hits, you just want to curl up with some sweet treats, a hot drink and watch a cozy hallmark movie. My go to sweets are oatmeal cookies and Conchas (Mexican pan dulce). It can be hard to find good recipes, but knowing which ones are good can be a game changer.

Oatmeal cookies:

1 cup butter softened

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

sprinkle of cinnamon

3 cups oats ( I use quakers old fashioned)

(Optional: rasins)

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy
3. Add eggs and vanilla; beat
4. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a separate bowl. then combine unto butter mixture.
5. Stir in oats and raisins (if used)
6. Drop rounded table spoons onto ungreased cookie sheet (a ice cream scooper is also good)
7. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown
8. Let cool on sheet for 1 minute then transfer to wire rack.

Conchas are a little more difficult to make especially for beginners but are still so good. I have made these countless times and it can still be a little confusing so be sure to read the notes, directions and ingredients thoroughly. This is the best recipe I’ve used.