Celebrating the Holidays: First Annual Internet Creations Bake Off

Published by Julia Sine at December 21, 2015

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The holidays are in full swing! At Internet Creations, we decided to celebrate the season with a little competition: Our first Annual Bake Off.

The rules were simple. Each entry had to match the theme. Multiple entries could be submitted. The entries would be anonymous. Everyone in the New Jersey office would cast one (and only one) vote for their absolute favorite entry.

This year’s theme: Cookies! Any type of cookie (bar cookies, drop cookies, pan cookies, sandwich cookies, no-bake cookies) was allowed. Pies were not allowed, cakes were not allowed, piecakens were not allowed. (Maybe next year.)

Cookies!

There were seven entries from six aspiring cookie creators in the office. The competition was fierce, the bakers talented, and the results…delicious.

I’m pleased to note that the voting was taken very seriously. No matter how full of butter and sugar they were, my colleagues powered through all seven types of cookies with the same dedication they bring to customer service. As Developer Bill Surgent said, “This is hard work.”

Working hard.

Hard, but certainly rewarding, work. The final vote was close, but in the end, sweet victory went to Account Executive Michelle Stevens and Digital Marketing Associate Ben Ortiz! Michelle’s oatmeal butterscotch cookies were perfectly sweet and yet light, with a hint of cinnamon and just enough oatmeal to make you feel healthy. In contrast, Ben’s Oreo-stuffed chocolate chip cookies were the height of decadence. (Hint: Using double-stuffed Oreos is a must.)

A tie for first place means not one, but two winning recipes! Try them out and let us know what you think!

Michelle’s Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies

The oatmeal butterscotch cookies were almost gone before we could take the picture.

A note from Michelle:

Growing up these were, by far, my favorite cookies. My mom used to make a batch around the holidays and sometimes during the year for occasions like when I got a good report card or when my brother earned a new belt in karate! Now, I enjoy making these for my family and passing down the tradition.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or grated peel of 1 orange
3 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
1 2/3 cups (11-oz. pkg.) butterscotch flavored chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375° F.
Combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats and morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 7 to 8 minutes for chewy cookies or 9 to 10 minutes for crisp cookies. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Serves: 24 large (or 48 small) cookies

Ben’s Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

It’s a cookie-within-a-cookie!

A note from Ben:

When I heard about the Bake Off, I was in it to win it. Though I love to eat cookies, I’m not much of a baker, so I turned to Google to point me in the right direction. I saw these cookies on Very Culinary and knew I had a winner.

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 package Double Stuff Oreo cookies

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together with a mixer until well combined. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
In medium bowl mix the flour, salt, and baking soda. Slowly add to wet ingredients along with chocolate chips until just combined.
With a cookie scoop, form balls with the dough.
Place one ball on top of an Oreo cookie, and another ball on the bottom. Seal edges together by pressing and cupping in hand until a large ball is formed and Oreo cookie is fully enclosed with dough.
Place onto parchment or silpat lined baking sheets and bake cookies for approximately 13 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Serves: 24 very large cookies

(Found on Very Culinary via Amandeleine and Picky Palate)

My colleagues and I hope that these cookies add a touch of sweetness and good cheer to your holidays!