Friendship is a funny thing.
You can be the best of friends. Totally inseparable for weeks, months, even years. Then life changes. New friends come into your life, old friends drift away. Often it’s not even a conscious decision, thought or action. It just happens.
I was first introduced to these Currant Cookies thanks to a friendship I’ve known all of my life, a friendship of my mother’s that has been passed down to the next generation. Life comes full circle and somehow these cookies have become a part of it.
Back a few more years than I’d care to have on my calendar, my mom was set to deliver my little sister when she met her best friend Pam. My mom and Pam were both in the same hospital about to give birth to daughters. For years they had run in similar circles, in the same city, but hadn’t met one another. Yet people would always mistake them for one another. Similar mannerisms, style, beauty and height. It was a wonder they hadn’t met before. I guess bringing their daughters into the world at the same time made it their time.
They both named their daughters Holly. Well, my mom didn’t initially. I did that. My mom and dad named her Heather, but I refused to call her anything but Holly. My mom said she never did look like a Heather. She said Heather’s are wispy. Holly was a tub. So at 4 months old, Holly had a name change.
I’ve always been a bossy older sister. I blame it on this first act of self righteousness.
My mom and Pam became the best of friends, the type you can celebrate with when things are up, and totally count on when things totally bottom out. Because at some point in your life, it will.
The Holly’s became bosom buddies too, and while they didn’t go to the same school, or see each other every week, when they did come together it was if they’d never left. Because that’s what friends do.
Over the years Pam and my mom discovered new friends, other friends. They didn’t see one another as often, they weren’t on each others monthly check-in list. But they always knew they had a bond, one that would endure. Because real friends are like that.
Suddenly 30+ years go by. How did that happen?
And one horrible day Pam was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
She leaned on her family and friends to get her through the agonizing fight of her life. She should have been shopping with her daughter Holly, bragging about her sons at lunch and spoiling her grandkids silly with homemade cookies. But life had other plans.
While Pam had many friends old and new to support her, I’m proud to say that at Pam’s request, my mom was by her side for the entire good, bad and the very ugly way.
My mom was there to drive her to chemo, to make her laugh ’til they cried trying to fashion a scarf to hide the hair that was no longer there, to shop for Build a Bear toys so Pam could record love notes from her hospital bed to leave as remembrances for her grandchildren.
After a battle that lasted not nearly long enough, but in some ways far too long thanks to the heartache and hurt that all were witness to, Pam passed away. There isn’t a time that my mom talks of Pam when her eyes don’t well up in tears. When she says, “Oh, how I miss my dear friend.” Because that’s what real friends are.
While our two Holly’s casually keep in touch thanks to Facebook, I see Pam’s Holly every few months thanks to mutual friends and now our daughters know one another. This fall I was at a tailgate party where Holly and her University of Utah loving troops preside over a massive tailgate that takes place each and every home game.
And that’s when I had these delicious Currant Cookies. I knew they were good. But when I found out they were Pam’s recipe, they tasted even better. Thankfully, Holly shared the recipe with me. And now I’m sharing them with you.
Because that’s what friends do. We’re here for each other. And friends always share their cookies.
These cookies. Oh, these cookies. The first bite made me want another. And another. Just the right amount of crispy to make me love that chewy all the more. These are thin cookies, not heavy and floury which makes them that much easier to eat more of.
While I snacked on half of the cookie dough before it even hit the baking sheet, I saved a few cooked cookies for the family and then packaged up the rest to give to the neighbors.
I think you know why.
The warming spices of cinnamon and cloves make this an especially good option to give for neighbor gifts or cookie exchanges around the holidays. If you can bear to part with them.
A few recipe notes:
Pam’s original recipe calls to mix the butter, oats and sugar all at once. I tried this and had oats flying about the kitchen. Creaming the butter and sugar first is what I’ll be doing the next time around.
Can’t find currants? Try regular raisins instead. You may want to chop into smaller pieces to mimic the currants. Or, give dried apricots or dried cherries a try.
For my oven I discovered the cookies baked perfectly at 14 minutes. They looked like they almost needed another minute to bake, but as they cool they firm up and darken a bit too. Don’t let them get too crispy on the ends or the chewiness will go out the window like last year’s New Year’s Resolutions.
Is it really already that time of year again?
Currant Cookies
PrintIngredients
- 1 cup butter , softened
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup sugar
- ¾ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup currants
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- With a stand or hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar, then add the oats and mix. Blend in flour, soda, cloves and cinnamon. Mix in currants and milk, mixing well.
- Shape into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking liner. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove and cool.
Cooking with currants isn’t necessarily high on the trending list—yet—but this little jewel of a fruit is certainly gaining in popularity. Just look at what some of my favorite food bloggers have come up with to showcase these sour little beauties.
Nik pairs whole-wheat pastry flour and a dash of instant coffee to bring out the lush chocolate base and fresh currant flavor in A Brown Table’s Whole Wheat Chocolate Cake with Red Currant Jam. Seriously. This is a show-stopper for the holidays that will leave your guests in shock. And not just from the chocolate coffee’d sugar after effects.
Pretty much anything Ashley brings to the blogosphere is going to be damn good. This time around she’s bringing us a fave from one of her faves and deems Not Without Salt’s Currant and Orange Marmalade Tea Cake a very welcome treat. Especially for breakfast. Oh, twist my arm.
With so much sugar and indulgences around, I’m ready to follow Brian’s lead and lean more to the healthy side for dinner, with a whole bowl of A Thought for Food’s Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts and Currants. One day I’ll be back in my skinny pants.
My snow buddy and travel roommate Kelley rocked this salad in the first issue of FoodieCrush magazine and it’s since become a favorite at my house. See, I’m on my way to healthy-dom. Check out Mountain Mama Cooks Kale Salad with Currants, Pine Nuts and Parmesan. Totally crave-worthy.
I’ve only made scones once, and while they were a success thanks to Brian’s recipe for Chocolate Cherry Scones, I’ve not ventured down the scone path yet again. Oh, but this version of Tartine’s Currant Scones and Lemon Cream (are they scones or biscuits?) with chunks and chunks of butter have me ready to hit the scone trail again. Thank you Alexandra’s Kitchen.
AND NOW FOR THAT ECOOKBOOK SALE
To celebrate the holidays, for two days only Maria of Two Peas and Their Pod and I are sharing a Cookie Craving Flash Sale with you.
For 2 days only you can get Cookie Cravings Digital Package or Holiday Cookie Cravings for 60% off.
Simply go here to purchase and use the discount code HOLIDAY.
This offer ends Friday, Dec. 6 at midnight MST, so don’t wait to get your bake on. And remember, friends share cookies with friends.
As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. This post contains affiliate links.
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Sherri H
My 82-year-old father is not a fan of chocolate. When I told him I had made some chocolate chip cookies, he asked if I could use raisins instead of chocolate chips? When I told him I didn’t have raisins, but I had currants, his face lit right up!! I did a quick Google search for “oatmeal currant cookies” and your recipe came up first (and I’m so glad it did!!) They are ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!! While he hasn’t had a chance to try them yet, I’m sure he will be as equally delighted. Thank you for sharing your recipe. (I rehydrated the currants in boiling water before I read that you’re supposed to use them dehydrated. They turned out great anyhow!!! I also added a dash of nutmeg and a splash of vanilla). A lovely soft and chewy cookie!!
Hayley
Thank you for this comment, Sherri! We’re so happy to hear you loved these and we hope your father will as well! :)
Judy Christenson
Love the story, and just had to try these, I am sure I followed the recipe exactly but I had a problem with the first pan.
When I realized I had not yet added the milk I was worried that the dough was going to be too soft. Went ahead and added it anyway. I have only baked one pan so far (put the rest in the fridge to stiffen up a bit) but they spread out so much it ended up like one giant square cookie which I cut into small squares, so edible but not cookies! I guess I could make the dough balls smaller and put less on the cookie sheet but may try adding some more flour or oats to stiffen it up a bit too.
Allison
Does this use fresh or dried currants?
Dried currants!
Tina
Very flat cookies until I added 2 eggs.
Tally erp 9
This recipe looks delicious and easy!
anna @ annamayeveryday
Ah what a story. What a lovely idea sharing the cookies (especially with friends rather than my thighs) – I will make these and salute those we have lost.
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
Beautifully written and expressed Heidi. As someone who has cooked for many friends and people in my community with cancer, I know exactly what you’re talking about. I think of my dear friends who didn’t beat cancer as well as the ones who have, and there are such intimate beautiful stories for each. What a gift you mom has and that you have these cookies to remember Pam by. xo
Lynna
This is just a wonderful story. Not many people are lucky to have that sort of friendship in life! :) I`m glad Pam`s memory will live on through these cookies. ♥
Patti
I read this beautiful tribute to my dear friend through a cloud of tears. You are such a beautiful story teller my love, just like your sweet grandmother. I am so lucky to have wonderful friends and Pam was a besty, I’ll never stop missing her. I’m also so blessed to have two incredible daughters, I’m so proud of both of you. Pam still spreads the love through her family, friends and delicious cookies. The story and love continues through everyone who shares these cookies with their friends. We all need friends.
JulieD
What a beautiful story. It made me tear up! It’s always better to have love than never loved at all. I’m sorry about the loss of Pam but so glad your Mom had a wonderful friend in her. Friends are so important and I feel so fortunate to have some great friends. This recipe looks fantastic, Heidi. Thank you for sharing it!
Liz @Life Made Sweet
What a beautiful story and wonderful way to keep Pam’s love and spirit close with her cookies. I can’t wait to make these!
Stephie
Excuse me while I still here and boo-hoo over your story. I can’t even handle it. What a beautiful tribute to Pam, your mom, and their friendship. I am sure Pam would have adored it.
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Such a sweet story. I seem to be easy to well up lately.. What a sweet friend your mom is, true friendships are like that and such a blessing. Your cookies look fabulous as always.
Emily @ Jelly Toast
What an amazing story, Heidi – I can’t wait to try these cookies, too!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom
What a beautiful beautiful story and what a wonderful and special friendship your mom and Pam had . . thanks for sharing. . so special! And love the cookies!!!
Maria
Touching story! Friendship is a beautiful thing! Love the cookies too! If you need a friend to share them with, you know where I live:) And yay for Cookie Cravings:)
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
This story is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us. I want to mail a batch of cookies to the friends I’ve known all my life, who will be there for me no matter what, even if we go months and months without talking. We needs those friends…and friends need cookies.
Deborah
You are such an amazing storyteller, Heidi. I sit here with tears in my eyes. And these cookies sound amazing – I’m thinking I need to break into the world of currants!!
Holly
Loved this post! Thanks for making me cry
first thing in the morning! I’m so proud of my
incredibly talented (and bossy) big sister :-). Xoxo
And I’m even more proud of my little sister. Heather. I mean Holly. Love you madly ;)
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective
Beautiful story, and beautiful (and delicious-looking!) cookies!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers
Ohhhh currants! The cookies just look incredible!!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
I love currents! Also, I love BOTH cookie cravings books – I have ’em and think they’re perfect!
Andre
These are lovely oatmeal cookies. A very typical cookies but always enviable to have a bit :)
Averie @ Averie Cooks
The storytelling is just…over the top awesome. Heidi. Wow! You are such a gifted writer! And photographer. And cookie maker. Pinned
Belinda@themoonblushbaker
That is simply a beautiful story. I have also been touched by cancer and I know how much friends play a apart in the recovery process. Through good time ans bad they are always there, sometimes even going beyond the typical friendship like your mother did.
The oaty-ness of these cookies are have to make them healthy right? Who care? they look delicious!