Simpkin is the name of the cat from Potter’s favourite tale, The Tailor of Gloucester, published in 1903. The only publication connected to winter and Christmas, this tale is based on the true story of a tailor tasked with sewing the wedding coat for the Mayor of Gloucester. In Potter’s version, the tailor becomes ill and is unable to complete his work. Luckily, the tailor is kind to the mice living in town who decide to lend a hand and finish the coat. Simpkin is the name of the tailor’s cat who is angered by the tailor for releasing several mice from captivity.
While I have no idea why the baker/author would pair granola with a winter/holiday tale, it seemed an interesting recipe to try. This recipe is from Peter Rabbit’s Natural Foods Cookbook by Arnold Dobrin.
To begin, you will need:
- 1/2 cup room temperature butter or margarine
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated white or raw sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granola or oatmeal
Equipment:
- mixing bowls
- measuring cups and spoons
- fork
- mixing spoon
- teaspoon
- cookie sheets
- pot holders
- spatula
- wire racks
Preheat oven to 350 fahrenheit.
Prepare your “wet” ingredients: butter/margarine, brown sugar, and white sugar in a mixing bowl and mix well with a fork.
Add an egg and beat into the mixture. Add the milk and vanilla. Set aside.
Prepare your “dry” ingredients: mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
Combine “wet” and “dry” ingredients. Mix until blended.
Add granola or oatmeal and mix well (I used oatmeal and added some raisins).
On an ungreased cookie sheet, use a teaspoon to place dough.
Bake for 10 minutes or until they are a light brown. Remove cookies onto a wire rack to cool.
This recipe makes approximately 2 dozen cookies. Enjoy!
RESOURCES
Dobrin, Arnold. Peter Rabbit’s Natural Foods Cookbook. London: Frederick Warne, 1977.
Potter, Beatrix. The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter. London: F. Warne & Co., 1989.
© 2020 Meghan Evans