May 18, 2020 Updated May 5, 2021 Jump to Recipe
These oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies are inspired by my chance meeting with Betsy Randle, Mrs. Matthews in the classic TV show, Boy Meets World! Betsy plays the perfect mom on television, so what better way to celebrate Betsy and the show than with oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies, the perfect, made-by-mom, after school snack.
At the end of last year, my daughter and I were at Trader Joe’s picking up some groceries. It seemed like just your average day at Trader Joe’s, until I saw a super cute lady with a familiar, welcoming smile.
I did a double take because I could have sworn the woman I saw was Betsy Randle, Mrs. Matthews from the classic television show that defined my generation, Boy Meets World.
I felt a rush as it occurred to me that I could ask this adorable lady if she was my favorite television mom.
If I was wrong, what’s the worst that could happen? She seemed like a super nice person, whether she was Betsy Randle or not.
So I promised myself that if we passed her again, I would ask.
Sure enough, our paths crossed by the vegetables and tofu.
“Excuse me, but I just have to ask. Are you Betsy Randle?!”
I did it, I asked.
“Why yes, I am,”
she kindly responded, with that warm Mrs. Matthews smile all of us Boy Meets World fans know and love.
“And what’s your name?”
Betsy asked, making me feel like I was the special person in the room!
I told Betsy my name was Shannon, that this was my daughter Mary Jeanne, that I’ve seen every episode of Boy Meets World countless times, and was now enjoying sharing the first season of the show with my daughter.
I also told Betsy how my husband and I appreciated her and William Russ on the show even more since becoming parents ourselves. I shared how I find myself looking to the show–and Betsy in particular–for parental inspiration.
After a very gracious thank you, Betsy responded with a twinkle in her eye,
“Well, that’s because I raised you!”
This woman was just as sparkling, personable, and full of humor in person as she is on Boy Meets World.
Though she said it with charming humor, Betsy was right: she did raise me.
She raised all of us who watched the show growing up. Betsy was our second mom who was so good at what she did, she taught us life lessons through the television screen.
Before I could say goodbye, I was so excited to have a chance to tell Betsy how amazing she was on Chopped a few years back. I rooted for her the whole show, and thought she should have won!
(In case you didn’t know, Betsy is a fabulous cook in real life, and placed second in the “Sitcom Moms” episode of Chopped. Season 25, Episode 8. You should totally watch it!)
Betsy was so gracious, thanked me for rooting for her, and proceeded to tell me that she was proud of how the main course round had gone, but thought it was the dessert round that did her in.
I think Betsy noticed me almost fall over for a second as it dawned on me that I was standing in Trader Joe’s, talking to Betsy Randle, one of my TV heroes, about what she thought her weak spot was on Chopped.
Well, eventually I realized that I had to let this kind woman get her groceries, and we said goodbye.
Needless to say, I was walking on air the rest of the day, and texted my whole family about my amazing experience meeting Betsy Randle, who even let me take a selfie with her! (Unfortunately MJ was too shy to be in the pic.)
Meeting Betsy inspired me to create a recipe that would be reminiscent of Boy Meets World and the amazing mom she so perfectly brought to life on the show each season.
Can you think of a more perfect homemade-by-mom, after-school snack than oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies?
These Boy Meets World Cookies, aka The Betsy Randle Cookie, are soft in the center, chewy from the oats and shredded coconut, and studded with milk chocolate chunks and semisweet chocolate chips. (Be sure to try my other favorite cookie recipe here.)
These cookies are just the sort of thing that Amy Matthews would have had ready for Cory, Eric, Sean, and Topanga after a day of totally relatable high school experiences and Mr. Feeny lectures.
So sit back, turn on Boy Meets World, and enjoy one of these delicious cookies!
My recipe calls for DESICCATED, unsweetened, shredded coconut.
Wow, what does that mean right???!
Desiccated coconut is shredded coconut that has been dried. So there’s no moisture in desiccated coconut, unlike most shredded or flaked coconut you find at the grocery store. If you can’t find desiccated coconut, feel free to substitute regular shredded or flaked coconut, but I’m telling you, the amazing texture of these cookies won’t be the same if you do not use desiccated coconut.
My favorite place to find desiccated, unsweetened coconut is my local Sprouts. But if I can’t make it to Sprouts—or if there’s a nationwide quarantine going on or something—my go-to favorite is the Organic Shredded Desiccated Coconut from Food to Live, which you can find here on Amazon [aff. link]. Give it a try in these cookies, and I guarantee desiccated coconut will become a staple in your baking.
Also, I’m always singing the praises of this cookie spatula in my non-cookie recipes [aff. link]. I absolutely love the smaller size of this spatula for all of my baking and cooking needs. And today I can tell you that it is also my favorite spatula for its intended purpose—removing cookies from the cookie sheet! Seriously, you just need to get this amazing little spatula, and it will change your life in the kitchen. That sounds extreme, but for me, it’s been absolutely true.
And of COURSE, you must watch Boy Meets World [aff. link]. This show is an absolute joy, whether you’re an old or new fan!
This Post Has 10 Comments
Oh my gosh, this post makes me happy in so many ways! First of all, Boy Meets World. I totally watched that show growing up – if I recall correctly, it aired on TGIF? And Mr. Feeny! Haha. He was one of my favorites for sure. And then you having the nerve to say something! First of all, I probably wouldn’t have even made the connection that someone in the grocery store is actually a famous person. And then I may or may not have actually had the nerve to say something. I love that selfie of you and Betsy! And finally, the cookies. I mean oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies sound amazing. I’m sipping on my morning cup of coffee right now, but I’m already craving one of these cookies. Excellent post, Shannon! 🙂
Awwww thank you so much David! It was absolutely AMAZING meeting Betsy! I couldn’t believe it was her at first, and then I just couldn’t help asking. 😆 YESSSS!!! Absolutely LOVE Mr. Feeny! Definitely one of my very favorite characters from the show. So glad you watched it too, it’s a modern classic for sure.
What a great story! And a great-looking cookie!
Thanks Jeff! Magical things happen at Trader Joe’s, that’s for sure! 😃 Meeting Betsy was amazing.
What a wonderful encounter that would have been, Shannon! I am amazed how gracious she was – I am so pleased for you. And these cookies look and sound absolutely stunning!
Thanks Katerina! These cookies are definitely a favorite in our house. And it was so amazing meeting Betsy, she was incredibly kind and gracious. Everything you’d hope she’d be in real life!
Hi Shannon, what fun meeting your TV idol. These are some substantial looking cookies indeed. I must confess, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Boy Meets World, but I Googled it and will watch it for sure. Now about old E.G. Robinson, one of my favorite classic stars. He’s right up the with Bogart and Bacall. That’s likely why Key Largo is one of my fav classic movies…
Thanks Ron! I still can’t believe I met Betsy, at Trader Joe’s no less! Absolutely amazing. And you will love Boy Meets World, it’s a great show full of life lessons and messages. They don’t make shows like Boy Meets World anymore! And they certainly don’t make stars like Edward G. these days! So happy you’re a fan of Eddie as well. He’s one of the greats, no doubt, right up there with Bogie and Bacall in my book as well! Three of my all time favorites. Oh for sure, Key Largo is so good! Talk about a perfect cast. And with John Huston directing no less. Classic with a capital “C”! 😀💗🎥
What a great experience meeting with her! The cookies look delicious!
xoxo
Lovely
http://mynameislovely.com
Thank you Lovely! It was definitely a dream come true meeting Betsy. Absolutely amazing!