Baker Turns Oatmeal into Cookie Business

When Patricia Counts was 20 years old, she was living abroad.

Her father was in the U.S. Air Force, which took the family to the Philippines.

“My mom used to buy these boxes of oatmeal because they had drinking glasses inside,” Counts said. “She wanted to get the whole collection.”

The multiple boxes of oatmeal in the home gave Counts a reason to begin baking oatmeal cookies, a hobby she has enjoyed ever since.

Now, at the age of 61, Counts has her own business, Miss Pat’s Cookies, and bakes a variety of cookies in a kitchen in Temple Terrace. She sells the treats online as well as at the Fresh Market at The Shops at Wiregrass on the first and third Saturdays of the month.

She started the business nearly three years ago after working as a family counselor.

“My kids said stop giving away these cookies and sell them,” Counts said. “And I’m glad I did.”

She said her most popular treat—especially at the Fresh Market—remains the oatmeal cookie.

“Usually, I sell out,” she said. “People like that it’s soft, that it’s chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside, and the flavor,” she said.

For more information, visit Miss Pat’s Cookies online, email misspat@misspatscookies.com, or call 813-928-0494.

The Fresh Market at The Shops at Wiregrass takes place on the first and third Saturdays of the month, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The next event date is June 1.

Let Patch save you time. Get local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast, sign-up here.