As much as I abhor the tradition, Slashfood would be remiss to not cover Family Circle's famous would-be-First-Wives Cookie Bake-Off. 'Cause nothing reflects a man's ability to run the United States like his wife's baking skills! But misogyny aside, the winning cookie recipe has, indeed, accurately predicted the White House winner for four elections running. And, interestingly enough, all four of said recipes have riffed on America's love affair with oats'n'chips. Oh Americans, so set in your ways.
Ever the people-pleaser, Cindy McCain submitted a can't-beat combo of oatmeal cookies with butterscotch chips. (Hopefully this was not another recipe she plagiarized from Giada De Laurentiis.) And what did Michelle Obama do? She opted for shortbread cookies with citrus zest and a pour of Amaretto. Great. *facepalm*
Politics aside, I am predisposed to Obama's Shortbread Cookies. Although the pictures on Family Circle make them look a bit like unappetizing li'l fruit cake slices, the dried fruit is optional, so really, it's just shortbread spiked with zest and almondy alcohol. Um, yes please.
Who are you voting for? Keep it to cookies, please, no need for political drama in a foodie forum!
Chocolate-stuffed bananas on the grill
Tyler Florence welcomes new daughter
Beware kids' menus!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-16-2008 @ 7:22PM
rainey said...
Guess what? This time Cindy cribbed directly from Hershey's without crediting them. =o
Reply
6-16-2008 @ 7:25PM
Veronica said...
I am a sucker for shortbread. Obama for the win.
Reply
6-16-2008 @ 7:28PM
rainey said...
Should have included the link to the story so it doesn't sound like I'm just making that up. I mean who would do the same transparent thing in a row, KWIM? But I didn't make it up and she did do the same lame, transparent thing twice in a row.
http://wonkette.com/400510/cindy-mccain-continues-to-steal-easily-googlable-recipes#more-400510
Reply
6-16-2008 @ 7:38PM
Sleighboy said...
I'll pass on either and instead opt for a large helping of Constitutional pie, best enjoyed with a glass of Liberty.
Reply
6-16-2008 @ 8:43PM
Mathi said...
I love shortbread. I like oatmeal.
Easy choice.
Reply
6-17-2008 @ 10:04AM
gypsy said...
I'm pleased to note that they at least TRIED to get a cookie recipe from Bill Clinton. (This was apparently done before the primaries wrapped up for the season.) It's not Bill's recipe, but it is one that has a connection to him AND it's from a male. A male chef, but still a male.
Me, I vote for shortbread. Actually, I'd vote for Bill's oatmeal cookies (I don't care for butterscotch chips) but I guess his recipe is now defunct...Sigh!
Reply
6-17-2008 @ 11:04AM
retrospectiveforecaster said...
Aaaaaaaaand, now it looks like the Bill Clinton one is from Betty Crocker. But Family Circle is saying that there's always a controversy with the cookie bake-offs. http://www.parents.com/community/food-diary/ Shrug.
Reply
6-17-2008 @ 2:48PM
srah said...
While the description of the Obama cookie smacks of the "elitism" they're supposed to represent and the oatmeal sounds all down-homey, I hate oatmeal and like shortbread. So go Obamas!
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 2:52PM
Fash said...
I remember hearing somewhere that the general rule is if you modify an existing recipe by about 20%, you can call it yours. However, I don't know what makes up that 20%. For instance, if you add peas and cayenne to a mac and cheese recipe, is that enough to claim it as your own?
Not that it really matters, and I know, it's off-topic anyway.
For the record, I'd take that shortbread. Oatmeal is good, but it's a little boring and a lot predictable.
Reply