With or Without Nuts? Raisins?
I run into this issue on occasion when I make brownies and cookies and other goodies like that. My father, who adores nuts and eats them all the time, hates them when they are in food. Myself, I love them either way. However, when it comes to raisins, I don't like them on their own, but I really enjoy them in cookies (especially oatmeal) and other baked goods.
Is anyone else that way? And has anyone else run into issues where you are making something for a group and want to add one of those, but are afraid to (or like, end up making two of whatever it is), because some people might not like the additions?
And what else do people feel strongly about in that manner? Fruit? Certain types of chocolate?
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25 Comments:
This is what I do with oatmeal cookies with raisins.....chocolate covered raisins they'll amp up the cookie to a new dimension!!
Markbb at 11:28AM on 12/02/08
I don't like nuts in my Brownies because I prefer nothing to interrupt my chocolate "moment". I also don't like them in my chocolate chip cookies. Come to think of it I also don't like nuts in my Banana Bread. However, nuts anywhere else are fine. (that's what she said)
As for raisins I love 'em in anything!! ESPECIALLY in Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies...add raisins and you simply have the perfect cookie.
juliebugsmama at 11:33AM on 12/02/08
No nuts for me either. Unless it's a nut specific thing, like pecan pie or something. Very little angers me as much as finding a nut in a brownie or a chocolate chip cookie. Raisins are a little less annoying when out of their expected context.
simon at 11:42AM on 12/02/08
What simon said. No nuts, sometimes raisins.
Kerosena at 11:46AM on 12/02/08
See, I'm the opposite of simon and Kerosena. I'd rather have a surprising raisin in an oatmeal cookie or the like than a nut in my brownies or chocolate chip cookies. Unless I'm actually looking for something with nuts in it, no surprises please!
(Random, but my sister actually just found a FB group about this sentiment -- "RAISINS, GET THE ---- OUT OF MY COOKIES!" =])
kfarrel3 at 11:50AM on 12/02/08
Occasionally, I like nuts--the peanut butter chocolate combo is classic! Also, really good nuts in brownies can be good, but I usually like them without because often people use crappy, tasteless walnuts. But most of the time I'm with juliebugsmama--chocolate is such a fond friend, I don't like mere acquaintances to spoil our bonding.
I find raisins, however, make many baked goods more interesting--oatmeal cookies, bran muffins, Irish soda bread, scones, date nut bread, and cereals and oatmeals.
What I do dislike, I'm afraid, is oatmeal in chocolate chip cookies. Oatmeal raisin or satsuma, yes. Chocolate chip cookie, yes. Chocolate chip walnut cookies, yes. But chocolate chip oatmeal--NO!
HeartofGlass at 12:06PM on 12/02/08
I am okay with nuts and raisins pretty much 100 percent of the time. If I am cooking for one person, I will consider their likes/dislikes, if I am cooking for a group, I go by own tastebuds.
KarynMC at 12:13PM on 12/02/08
I don't care what you put in brownies I love them. I know that when my mother made authentic apple or cheese strudel and she put raisins in them I picked around that. In oatmeal raisin cookies it was fine.
pjracz10 at 12:17PM on 12/02/08
Raisins and walnuts do not belong in any food :)
bobbob at 12:23PM on 12/02/08
I like almonds or hazelnuts in most cookies and brownies. I'm just not a raisin girl, they're too sweet for me. I also like nuts such as almonds, cashews or pinenuts in savory dishes. I am cautious about nuts when cooking for people I don't know in case of allergic reactions.
dhorst at 12:32PM on 12/02/08
I love nuts on their own, just not nuts about them in things. Especially not brownies. It's all about the chocolate, folks...Raisins, eh. They're okay in oatmeal cookies, but I really don't want them showing up in (otherwise) savory dishes
Lilla at 12:38PM on 12/02/08
no nuts in my food, please! a delicious brownie cannot be interrupted by crunchy nuttiness.
raisins are okay anywhere, as long as that anywhere is near an oatmeal cookie.
natemcguire at 12:50PM on 12/02/08
I despise raisins. I'm fine with you putting them into your baked goods, as long as it's obvious they're in there, so I can decline. Nothing wose than biting into a cookie and expecting a chocolate chip and finding a squishy raisin.
Nuts, I'm fine with. Whether I put them in my own cooking depends on my mood. Sometimes I'm nutty, sometimes I'm not. When I do use nuts in something like cookies or brownies, I usually add more than the recipe requires. If they're going to be in there, I want them really in there, and not a haphazard chance of getting a nut.
dbcurrie at 12:52PM on 12/02/08
Brownies must have nuts, and raisins are just plain nasty - on their own or baked into something.
caramel at 3:33PM on 12/02/08
It's very simple, as far as I'm concerned - I love nuts on their own and pretty much in everything - any baked goods - including brownies, salads, with veg or meat, etc. On the other hand, I can't stand raisins at all, nor do I tolerate their presence in anything. You'll never catch me eating a raisin, that's a cert.
brooke29 at 3:58PM on 12/02/08
I meant to add that even though I despise raisins, I looooove craisins (sweetened dried cranberries). I made these cookies (recipe on back of craisins bag) about a month ago and they are sooooo good!
Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
1 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 (6 oz) package Craisins
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in craisins and white chocolate. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Makes 2½ dozen.
caramel at 4:44PM on 12/02/08
I love nuts in salads or pasta sauce. I guess only savory applications. Don't mess with the chocolate goodness of my brownie. Raisins are only good in oatmeal cookies. I do not like white chocolate in or on anything. Please don't put bacon bits on anything. Bacon is meant to be eaten on it's own or in a BLT.
No marshmallows. Unless on the end of a stick.
carolrsfMISSESTEXAS at 6:06PM on 12/02/08
i'm with texas.
dearrie at 7:18PM on 12/02/08
Love nuts.
Raisins, I take it or leave it. If it's there, I usually eat 'em. If they aren't, I don't usually miss them.
For the longest time, I thought my hubby didn't like nuts in his chocolate chip cookie. So, I always left them out for him even though I always used to put walnuts in my chocolate chip cookies. Then one day, my sister baked chocolate chip cookies and he went on and on about how good those cookies were. So, I asked her for the recipe, she says, oh it's the one you gave me...yeah, the one with nuts. So, now, I make things taste good. If someone has an allergy or some health issues then I accommodate. If they really hate some ingredient, I just make something else.
wookie at 7:24PM on 12/02/08
Brownies are better without nuts. Chocolate chip cookies are better with, as well as banana bread. As for raisins, I like them in oatmeal, carrot cake, and breads. Don't particularly care for them in oatmeal cookies--I think they tend to get burnt-tasting. I'd much rather have an oatmeal cookie with dried cranberries or apricots in it.
buffy at 7:25PM on 12/02/08
Oh dearrie I LIKE it when you're with me : )
carolrsfMISSESTEXAS at 12:10AM on 12/03/08
I hate raisins! I always end up picking around them when they're baked into something. I love nuts in anything as long as it's the right nut-- as long as it "goes".
As for brownies, with or without nuts is fine. I just really don't like when there are chunks of chocolate baked in them-- it's a little too much... kinda like whipped cream on top of ice cream.
smile at 12:48AM on 12/03/08
@ caramel thanks for shring the recipe I was looking for just that. I going to make christmas cookies w/your recipe this year
pjracz10 at 4:08AM on 12/03/08
@pjracz10 - you're welcome, glad I could help. =)
caramel at 9:23AM on 12/03/08
I adore nuts...but NOT in baked goods. Salads they're fine, added to stir fries, no problem... but never baked goods.
Raisins shouldn't make an appearance in anything other then rice pudding where they are only slightly tolerable.
Alm25 at 10:23AM on 12/03/08