Garbage Cookies

We have all had them.

Garbage Cookies.

Monster Cookies.

Everything Cookies.

They are one of my all time favorites.  But they could be better right? :)

I love to tweek things in the search of the most fabulous wonderful yummy scrumptious cookie ever.

Start with a basic oatmeal cookie recipe.

(FYI this is the BEST basic oatmeal cookie recipe you will ever try hands down.  HUGE flavor.)

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp allspice

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup shortening

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar

1 1/2 cups whole oats

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In medium bowl sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon,  and all spice.  In separate large bowl, cream together shortening, brown sugar, and white sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Combine well.

Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and stir until just combined.  Then add oats, cranberries, and chocolate if you so desire.

Use 1/4 cup and scoop onto cookie sheet... you should get about 6 per sheet.

Bake for at least 8 minutes, but most likely will bake for 12 depending on your stove.

 

To this add whatever you love!

I like to combine a 1/2 cup of rich and creamy organic peanut butter.

Then the really fun stuff.

And there is more.

I also had Heath chips.

And walnuts. (sometimes, and just for everyone else.  *I* dont like nuts in cookies!)

And mini caramels.

These cookies are no fail.  Add whatever YOU like!

You can also check here to get my SUPER easy version.  

Have fun baking!

And bake something for me OK?  Did you see what happened to my kitchen?? :(

Comments

[Jessica @ How Sweet]

I have wanted to make these since I saw them on Regis and Kelly. I think she added goldfish or something? That just sounds so good to me! I would totally add a ton of salty chips, crackers. And....probably bacon.

[Renee]

Yum! Not as pretty as your decorated cookies, but I'm sure just as yummy!

[Cindy]

I just had my first Compost Cookie from Momofuku last week (along with Fruity Cereal Milk). Personally, I prefered the Cornflake Cookie. But my kids were crazy for the Compost. I'm sure they would think these are the tops! Lovely photos!

[Janis]

Yum - already made a cake this AM and now thinking I want oatmeal cookies! :) lol

Thanks!

[Home Baked]

They look really good!

[Joy Ellis]

om my goodness...Those cookies look delicious!!! I could eat one..or a dozen! LOL

[Darla]

Yum! I've never heard of mini caramels. I'll be looking for them. And thanks for the MN info. I'll talk with my sister in law and we'll try and make a plan soon.

[Lauren @ Crave. Indulge. Satisfy.]

This cookies look so yummy! I might have to try this with some leftover M&Ms I have in my pantry! So sorry to hear about your oven catching fire! Glad you are ok!

[Kate]

Yum.

And that's all I have to say about that.

[Katie]

I think somehow I got off your distribution list! I haven't been alerted that you have been posting these great things recently! I want back on! I love monster cookies and I just made them last week!

[Alicia]

So, how fast can you move to CA??? And preferably my next door neighbor?

[pam]

i have a recipe very close to this without shortening. so i am going to try this one. i buy m&m's after holidays and freeze them and then use m&m's. chocolate chip and white chips. i actaully am making them tonight or tomorow to put in a care package to send to my husband. i try to send goodies to him almost weekly.

[Michelle]

I would really like to spend a day (or more) with you in your kitchen! That would be devine! :)

[Maria]

I love all of the mix ins!

[Cookie]

I love how you used an oatmeal cookie base! Yes, we call them Kitchen Sink Cookies at our house but I can't wait to try your version!

[Joanne]

These look amazing, Amanda! Your stuff always does!

[Ann]

YUM! Yum! Yum! I'm totally making those this weekend!

[Amy's blah, blah, blog]

Oh yum! Seriously....yuuuuuuuummmm!!

[Londa]

Just so you know...I keep scrapping our "family" recipes in favor of your amazing recipes! Better not tell my mom! :) She's still taking the credit!
I LOVE all the creative mix ins! You totally have an extra creative gene! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[Jeni]

Those look so good! Oatmeal are my favorite cookies. I'm sick right now, it's been a week ugh, and could go for some but alas I'm out of the oatmeal. :(

Mmmm I even have some golden raisens that sound like they would be good in them! :)

[Jessica (j-wood photography)]

Definitely going to try these this afternoon - but the easier version. That many ingredients makes me nervous!

[Grapefruit]

I am so making these next week. Love the photos.

[Jessica]

Hey Amanda - I did it. I made a form of your Garbage Cookies. Very yummy!

[bridget {bake at 350}]

Can I come over to *your* house?!?

[Zlamushka]

Love your cookies, so full of life. Actually the dish you present them in the last picture (the rustic old baking tray) - that I am jealous of. Where did you get it?

[grace]

clean-out-the-cabinet cookies. awesome. :)

[Camille]

I have a very similar recipe to these, and I like to add rice crispies, becasue them have such a satisfying crunch, and for those who like (personally not me) coconut works in to cookies like these really well
great pictures!

[Ann]

OMG... I made these last night, and I think this is my new favorte cookie recipe!!! Wow! Seriously... big puffy heart love! Thanks for the recipe. Oh, and I used dark and white chocolate chips, M&M's, and butterscotch chips - delish!

[Habibah]

I'm from Malaysia... firstly, I'm not into baking, but when I came across your blog, I fell in love in baking now. As a Muslim, now we are having our fasting month, Ramadhan and less than 2 weeks, we will celebrate Eid. So, I think I would try bake this kind of cookie and involve my 2 girls. This would be fun... Thanks a lot for sharing this with us, Amanda. :)

[Jackie]

Hi

I have noticed that you use shortening in all your cookie recipes instead of butter. I would think that butter gives a better flavor than shortening.

[Nancy @SensitivePantry]

I love cookies that have lots of goodies in them! These look big and chewy and delicious.

[Amber]

Holy crap, Amanda! I just saw what happened to your oven. I would totally be rocking back and forth on the floor. I love Garbage/Monster/Ranger cookies, and the photos are great!

[Tracy]

Yum, these look delicious...and, since you say this is the best oatmeal cookie recipe, now I will definitely have to try them!!

[Food Frenzy]

A fun cookie to make and enjoy! The cookies and photos look great.

We invite you to share this post and some of your favorite food posts on Food Frenzy.
http://blogstew.net/foodfrenzy

[Aimee @ Simple Bites]

We call them Dishpan Cookies. ;)

[CopyKat Recipes]

This makes me want to bake cookies, right now. Well as soon as they turn the water back on an the plumber moves out of the kitchen!

[Maris (In Good Taste)]

You had me at the first picture!

[Femmes russes]

I searched for this theme! I just had my first Compost Cookie from Momofuku last week (along with Fruity Cereal Milk). Personally, I prefered the Cornflake Cookie. But my kids were crazy for the Compost. I'm sure they would think these are the tops! Lovely photos!

[Ann]

Amanda, I've made these before, and they have turned out great, but tonight they were a flop! :( The batter seemed thin, and they are spreading out really thin on the pan. I used margarine instead of shortening. Do you think that could have made a big difference?

[Leighton Meester]

I like this,Holy crap, Amanda! I just saw what happened to your oven. I would totally be rocking back and forth on the floor. I love Garbage/Monster/Ranger cookies, and the photos are great!GooD Luck.

[Michelle Williams]

I just had my first Compost Cookie from Momofuku last week (along with Fruity Cereal Milk). Personally, I prefered the Cornflake Cookie. But my kids were crazy for the Compost. I'm sure they would think these are the tops! Lovely photos!