Americans can’t resist contests – and contests within contests. Chefs compete, home cooks compete, and First Ladies (and First Lady wannabees) compete. Competition shows our spunk, our determination, and in the case of the Family Circle Presidential Cookie Bake-Off, the fact that Presidents have a sweet tooth, just like the rest of us.
The new Bake-Off pits Michelle Obama‘s Mama Kaye’s White and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies against Ann Romney‘s M&M’s Cookies. Fans get to vote – so both politico wives are doing just what their husbands are doing: mobilizing the power of facebook to get votes. Turns out that the winner of the Bake-Off, since 1992 when Hilary Clinton went up against Barbara Bush, have gone on to the White House – except for the last election. Then it was Michelle Obama’s Shortbread Cookies lost to Cindy McCain‘s Oatmeal Butterscotch Treats. Unfortunately for Cindy, her husband didn’t go on to win the White House, and her recipe and others claimed to be written by her were involved in a plagiarism scandal (see Recipegate: Can Cindy McCain Cook?)
What about this year’s recipes?
Dark and white chocolate versus candy coating – is there a message?
One big difference is that the Obama recipe makes 5 dozen smaller cookies versus only 3 dozen oversized ones from the Romney recipe.
More is better, or is bigger better?
Another big difference is that the Romney recipe cuts down on butter by adding 1 ½ cups of peanut butter, but increases the amount of sugar and includes corn syrup. Obama goes for a butter-Crisco combination and less sugar. Cookies are a treat, not a healthy option – but don’t bring those Romney cookies to school unless you are sure no one has a peanut allergy.
Click here to vote for your favorite.