Chewy Cinnamon Orange Oatmeal Cookies

 There is something I don't understand. I was healthy for the entire dreary, grey winter. Not a sneeze or sniffle  the whole time. I pride myself on never really getting sick. When I was in grade school, at award assemblies, I was one of those kids that got a certificate for perfect attendance (nerd to the core). 

Anyway, this past week I went to Florida for "Spring Break" - yes even when you are nearly 30 you still go on these type of trips. I bring back to Pennsylvania a healthy glow and what....a cold? I can't believe this, I spend 5 days in sunshine and warm weather and come home with a stuffy head. Argh! How do these things happen?

At least I am feeling better now...I still think hot tea can cure all things. So, since I am feeling better I decided to bake you some cookies, it's been a while and I figured you were aching for some cookies.

Oatmeal cookies are still some of my favorite cookies. Believe it or not I will pass on a chocolate chip for an oatmeal. I think peanut butter may still win overall but oatmeal is definitely a close second. 

I am also never going to buy vanilla extract again. Okay, that is probably not true but I am really obsessed with the flavor of this Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste. I love it. I mean to me there is no comparison to traditional vanilla extract. 

I encourage you to pick some up and try for yourself. I swear you wont be disappointed. If you don't like citrus is your cookies feel free to leave out the orange zest. I enjoy the orange kick to these cookies though, it is not overpowering and a nice surprise when you aren't expecting.

Chewy Cinnamon Orange Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temp
zest of one orange
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
1 large egg

Cream butter, sugars, and orange together in a stand mixer. Then add your vanilla and egg. Mix until thoroughly combined.

Sift together flour, baking soda and powder, salt, cinnamon and oats. Add the flour mixture, 1/2 cup at a time to the creamed sugar mixture. Be careful not to over mix.

Once you have your dough roll into 1 tablespoon sized balls and place onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake cookies for approx 13 minutes at 350 degrees.

Note: These cookies will spread a bit when the bake so do not overcrowd your cookie sheet.