Grandma's oatmeal cookies
My mother-in-law Carol Mason is a terrific cook in all aspects, but she excels at baking desserts. She taught me how to make these cookies over twenty years ago, and this is still my go-to recipe, and the cookies my boys request most often.
| Recipe makes | Active time | Total time |
|---|---|---|
| Special equipment needed |
|---|
| Stand mixer, although a hand-held mixer can be used |
| Baking sheet |
| Wire cooling rack |
| Ingredients |
|---|
| 2 cups all-purpose flour |
| 1 teaspoon baking soda |
| 1 teaspoon salt |
| 1/2 teaspoon baking powder |
| 2 sticks of butter, softened |
| 1 cup white sugar |
| 1 cup packed brown sugar |
| 2 eggs, at room temperature |
| 2 teaspoons vanilla extract |
| 2 cups uncooked oats |
| 1 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts, optional |
| 24 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips |
| Instructions |
|---|
| • Preheat oven to 375º. |
| • Mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Combine thoroughly. |
| • Cream the butter and sugars in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add 1 egg at a time, beating slowly, until completely incorporated. Add the second egg and completely incorporate. Stir in the vanilla. |
| • Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture a little at a time. |
| • Mix in the oats. Mix in the nuts. Add the chocolate chips and combine thoroughly. If the dough is too sticky to roll into balls, refrigerate 30 minutes. |
| • Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten the cookies slightly if you prefer flatter cookies. For rounder cookies, leave in the walnut shape. |
| • Cook for 10-12 minutes, rotating the sheets front to back, top to bottom after 5 - 6 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before removing the cookies to a cooling rack. |
| Variations |
|---|
| • Add 1 cup of raisins; golden raisins will be distinguishable from the chocolate chips. |
| • Add 1 cup dried cherries or cranberries. |
| • Add 2 tablespoons wheat germ to increase the protein. If using, mix it thoroughly with the flour mixture before adding to the dough. |
| • Substitute orange or chocolate extract for vanilla extract. |
| • Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder for a darker, more intense cookie. If using, mix it thoroughly with the flour mixture before adding to the dough. |
| • If using whole-wheat flour, then add an extra egg. |
| • Red walnuts add another fun dimension. |
| • For the holidays, add colored chocolate chips - orange for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, red for Valentine's Day. |
| Storage |
|---|
| • These cookies can be frozen in metal tins or resealable bags and will keep for several months. |
| • These cookies can be shipped. |
Comments on this recipe?