Mmm, Cookies Hot Out of the Oven...

Mama Alanna · 02-03-2009, 04:27 PM

When the weather outside is majorly nasty, we need good hot comfort food. And what is more comforting than a plate of cookies and a cup of hot tea?

Our favorite is Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. This is a 'family' recipe, at least 90 years old. My copy is in my late grandmother's handwriting and specifies lard instead of shortening. No 'modern' recipe from the back of the oatmeal box in this house! I've cut down on the amount of shortening from the original.

1 cup raisins
3/4 cup shortening (original called for 1 cup lard)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups oatmeal (I like the quick-cooking, Mom likes the old-fashioned)
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (gas mark 5 for you Brits)

In small saucepan, put the raisins and just enough water to cover them. Heat just to boiling, then remove from heat and let raisins soak. DO NOT DRAIN!

Cream sugar and shortening in large bowl. Add eggs and beat well.

Add the baking soda to the pan of raisins and stir well. Pour the whole thing into the large bowl. Add flour and oatmeal and mix well.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, until golden brown. Best if served warm, but "old stale oatmeal cookies" (i.e., any cookie that has been out of the oven long enough to cool to room temperature) are good too.

You can also use chopped apple instead of raisins, and 1/2 cup of apple juice instead of the water.

angelsea · 02-03-2009, 04:34 PM

Mmmmm..Oatmeal Raisin, one of my fav. cookies ! I bet those are good. Going to take down the recipe ! Thanks Mama !

blue gecko · 02-03-2009, 06:30 PM

That looks very much like my grandmother's Oatmeal cookies.....its a walk down memory lane!

disastercat · 02-03-2009, 06:51 PM

Yummm will have to make! A lot of the old recipes from around that period of time that I have use the raisin water method too. It does add a lot of flavor and make the raisins softer when the cook.

Mama Alanna · 02-03-2009, 09:21 PM

Now, everyone who commented on my recipe has to post one of theirs!

blue gecko · 02-03-2009, 09:48 PM

LOL, OK....I'll look for it in the next couple of days!!

Liz · 02-04-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mama Alanna

Now, everyone who commented on my recipe has to post one of theirs!

It isn't my recipe, I found it online, the Ultimate Cinnamon Roll with Vanilla Frosting recipe. I made it last night, and put most of the rolls in the freezer because there is only me. I do calorie restriction most of the time to stay at size 8-10. But now I have something to haul out for company.

Here is where it is: Hope the link works.

http://baking.about.com/od/sweetroll...nnroll.htm?p=1

It's a big pain to make, but the smell is wonderful.