“Food has always been a big part of my life, and many of my most vivid memories involve food in some way. The recipe I am sharing today is from my paternal grandmother. She was known for her sweet treats. I remember getting so excited when we would pull up at her house for a visit, and she almost always had some of the cookies I am sharing with you today waiting for us. Even my mother, who is not a sweets eater, found these hard to resist. I definitely think of my grandmother, I called her Mimi, when I make these cookies, but the recipe that I associate with her the most is her caramels. These caramels are special to me not just because they are delicious, but because they are the longest food tradition in my family. I remember helping my mom cut and wrap them when I was a child, and I have continued that tradition with my own children. It is something that we do together every Christmas, and I hope that one day they will make them for/with their children too. They are part of Mimi’s legacy.” – Lauren Binford
Buffalo Chip Cookies (from my grandmother, Betty Bobsin, aka Mimi)
makes about 40 extra large cookies
2 C salted butter (Mimi used half butter half Crisco, but I use all butter)
2 C sugar
2 C brown sugar
4 eggs
2 T vanilla
4 C flour
2 t baking soda
2 t baking powder
2 C corn flakes
12 oz chocolate chips (semi-sweet is my preference)
12 oz butterscotch chips
2 C nuts (pecans are my preference)
1 C shredded coconut
2 C oatmeal
Cream butter and sugars. Add one egg at a time until combined and then add vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and baking powder before adding to creamed mixture. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop dough onto baking sheet 1/4 C at a time. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes.
Lauren Binford is the Owner of Blue Door Sweets in Austin, TX.
Food connects us to some of our most cherished moments. It also provides opportunities for conversations that matter. Here’s a question to get the conversation started around your table: “If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?” For more conversation starters, click here.