Crunchy Oatmeal Cookie is Rapea Kaurakeksi

Simple and humble. Isn't this all you need on a cloudy afternoon with your coffee? This popular cookie that you find in most cafes and bakeries is the Crunchy Oatmeal Cookie. This cookie has two special ingredients, vanilla sugar and oats. Perfect for a bun mouse or a rabbit pants - they're super easy to make and you'll have fresh baked cookies in less than 30 minutes.

Vanilla Sugar

I don't know why Vanilla Sugar never made it to the US, because it's wonderful. It's a commonly used ingredient throughout many European countries, most notably Germany, Finland, Poland, and Hungary. Sounds easy to make, two common ingredients, however it's not just a mixture of vanilla extract with sugar. Vanilla sugar is sugar that has been infused with vanilla over a long period of time, so it retains the granular texture that we enjoy in sugar (and need for our perfect baked goods), but with an added flavor of that sweet, woody, smokey, marshmallow flavor called vanilla. There is a difference in the taste and aroma of vanilla sugar and vanilla extract, so next month, we're going to make some because I know it's difficult to find in some parts of the world.

The Magical World of Finnish Oats

The other main ingredient in this cookie is oats. My mother-in-law makes oat porridge every morning for breakfast. Her unwavering routine is something I admire. I'm also happy to learn that research backed by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) shows that oats are a superfood. This is another wonderful example of how traditional foods became traditional because of their health benefits. Our ancestors didn't need the research to tell them oat bran contains high concentrations of a fiber called beta glucan which lowers cholesterol, or that oats have a more balanced composition of amino acids and slightly higher protein content than other grains. The cultivation and consumption is handed down through the generations. In Finland, the cultivation of oats is unique.

Finland is the second-largest exporter of oats in the world, sending about 350,000 tons abroad annually. The uniqueness of Finnish oats rises from the Arctic environment and extreme four seasons. The unique climate conditions are just right for producing the highest quality oats. The growing conditions cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. The factors that contribute include the country’s cool (and bitter cold, plumitting well below zero!) weather, clean soil and farming practices that include fewer pesticides and fertilisers. The deep freeze kills off any pests, which is how farmers can get by with less pesticides.

Finland is a pioneer in the food industry and many people seek out vegetarian products. Oats are being used to make all types of things including breads, milks, crackers, smoothies, and even pulled-oats - a delicious meat alternative. I've never been so excited about oats!

Now back to the simple and humble Crunchy Oatmeal Cookie.

Rapea Kaurakeksi Recipe

Ingredients

4 dl kauraleseitä 1¾ cup oats
1.5 dl sokeria ½ cup + 3 tbsp sugar
1.5 tl vaniljasokeria 1 tsp vanilla sugar or extract
2 rkl vehnäjauhoja 2 tbsp wheat flour
2 tl leivinjauhetta 2 tsp baking powder
100 g sulatettua voita ¼ cup + 3 tbsp melted butter
2 kananmunaa 2 eggs

Directions

Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add the softened butter and stir to combine. Mix in the eggs last and stir until combined.
Scoop the dough in approximately 1 tablespoon size drops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave plenty of room for spreading, they will spread out to be super thin crispy oat dreams.
Bake on the middle level of the oven at 200 degrees C or 400 F for 6 - 7 minutes or until they are brown at the edge and hazy gold in the center.
Enjoy! Allow to cool completely and then store in airtight containers. They will keep for about 5 - 7 days in container. They also freeze well. They will firm up as they cool.