Week 3 of 52: Memphis Garbage Cookies

Today was a busy day in the United States. Not only did President Obama have his second Inauguration Day, but also it was Martin Luther King Day. How appropriate that they coincided and both were so moving. In D.C., the President talked of equality, unity, and opportunity. All across the U.S., people served others in honor of Dr. King, such as creating blankets for the homeless and packaging meals for a local food bank.

For this week's dessert, I wanted to focus more on Dr. King, and so I choose to make a "garbage" cookie. Why a garbage cookie, you may be asking? Well, let me explain.

On February 1, 1968, two Memphis sanitation workers died in a compactor accident during a heavy rainstorm.  Less than two weeks later, "on February 12, more than 1,100 of a possible 1,300 black sanitation workers began a strike for job safety, better wages and benefits, and union recognition.*" It was this strike that drew Dr. King to Memphis on several occasions. The last being on April 4, 1968.

So to honor Dr. King, I give you the...

Memphis Garbage Cookie

Ingredients
1 c butter, cold, cut up into small cubes
3/4 c brown sugar, tightly packed
3/4 c granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 c vegetable oil
2 t vanilla extract
3 1/2 c flour
1 t salt
1 t baking powder
1 t cinnamon
1 cup rolled oats
2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c of any other mix in of your choice, such as nuts, dried fruit, etc.

Process

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Mix butter and sugars in stand mixer on medium for 3 minutes until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well each time. Add oil and vanilla and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon.
4. By large spoonfuls, add flour mixture into stand mixer just until incorporated.
5. Remove bowl from mixer, and incorporate the remaining ingredients by hand.
6. Drop 1/4-cup portions onto a cookie sheet lined with either parchment paper or Silpat.
7. Bake for 16-20 minutes. Cool on pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
8. Store in a sealed container.

PS I got 24 very large cookies out of this recipe. They were NOT chewy or crisp, but rather dry, but still tasty. I am working on how to adjust this recipe, because I would prefer chewy. As is, these would be great on ice cream or with a glass of milk.

*http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/memphis-v-mlk/
Note: This recipe was adapted from Annie's Eats (http://www.annies-eats.com/2011/01/14/giant-double-chocolate-cookies/), and Marisk (http://www.food.com/recipe/nickey-rsquo-s-garbage-cookies-443550).