Grandma Vallas’ Oatmeal Cookies Prep:
Bake: 20 minutes
Oven 300°F
Ingredients 1 cup shortening ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup white sugar 1 egg 1 cup flour 2 cups oatmeal 1 tsp baking soda 1 cup nuts/choc. chips/raisins ⅛ tsp Salt 1 teaspoon Vanilla Directions 1. In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening, white sugar and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for around 30 seconds. 2. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the egg and vanilla into the butter and sugar, then mix until combined. 3. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the flour, oatmeal, baking soda and salt. 4. Add in chocolate chips, nuts or raisins 5. Take about a tablespoon sizes of dough, and roll in small balls and press flat on cookie sheet with floured fork. 6. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown, then let cool on a wire rack. Family Tips: You can divide mixture before adding in the mixings. Add nuts to one half and raisins to the other half. Or add chocolate chips to one half, and raisins and nuts to the other. Use a small ice cream scoop to get uniform sized cookie dough balls, for more even baking.
“This is a recipe that was my grandmother's when she was cooking on a wood stove oven. When I was a little girl I remember helping my mother bake them to send overseas to my brothers who were in World War II. When I got married in 1957 I asked my mother for the recipe. When it was given to me, the instructions were very unspecific. For example, salt, vanilla. I asked how much and was told, a pinch of salt, a capful (the cap of the bottle) of vanilla. 'At what temperature do I set the oven?' 'Oh, not too hot.' 'How long do I bake them?' 'Until they look done.' 'How will I know they are done?' 'You can see; they will be a little brown on top.' So, I had to experiment and figure out what these specifics would be in today's oven. Originally the cookies were made with just walnuts in them, but I have adapted the recipe to use chocolate chipits, different kinds of nuts or raisins.” - My Grandma, Ruth Moore Desjardins