Oatmeal Cookies - A Favorite Fallish Treat

Cookie anyone?

I don't know what it is about this time of year, but every October I find myself craving Oatmeal Cookies, or some variation thereof. Maybe oatmeal raisin or cranberry. Or how about just oatmeal pecan?

That's what happens when you start to make Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies and then discover that you're not only out of dried cranberries, but you're out of raisins as well. Still, it was those fall spices I was craving and what's not to like about pecans? Well, unless you have a nut allergy.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1/4 cup regular shortening - *see note below
• 1/2 cup butter flavor shortening
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 to 1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 2 2/3 cups old fashioned oats
• 3/4 cup dried berries/raisin blend (optional)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugars. *In the past, I have used a blend of butter and shortening because I prefer a softer cookie. However, unlike chocolate chip cookies, these still weren't soft enough, so that's why I went to all shortening. The flavor was off when I used just the butter flavor shortening, though, which I why I did a mix of the two. And the fact that I had the butter flavor on hand. Otherwise, I could just use the regular shortening and add a little bit of butter extract. If you like a crunchier cookies, though, then feel free to use all butter.* 

Beat in the eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves, then, with the mixer on low, lest we send a cloud of dust flying everywhere (experience talking), add flour mixture to shortening blend and mix well .

Now, with the mixer on low, add your oatmeal.

So about those nuts .

First, I like to see and taste the nuts in my cookies, so I coarsely chop them.

And pecans are always my nut of choice. That said, you are allowed to use whatever nuts you like and chop them as fine as you prefer.

If you're adding dried berries or raisins, add those along with the nuts.

Stir to combine.

Then drop by large tablespoons onto your prepared baking pans.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. If you like them crispy, let them go the longer time, if you like them chewy, go with the lower time.

Even without the berries or raisins, they were still delicious. 

Believe it or not, fall has finally made it to the ranch. Of course, summer isn't going to just up and leave, but one front and another one on the way are doing their best to encourage her on down into the southern hemisphere. And that's fine by me. We've spent too long enduring 90s and 100s. I'm more than ready for some 70 and 80 degree temps.

I don't know about you, but I still can't believe it's October. 2019 has just flown by. And I'm sure that before I turn around, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be knocking on my door. So I guess that means baking season has already started. 

What's cooking in your kitchen?

Three time Carol Award finalist Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she's not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more a mindyobenhaus.com.

Savoring Fall with My Favorite Oatmeal Cookies

I am thrilled that fall has finally come to the ranch. And after a stretch of gray, rainy weather, we're finally enjoying some glorious autumn days. We've had some beautiful sunrises...

And the weather has been perfect for getting out and enjoying all the ranch has to offer.

 Yes, these pictures were taken just a couple of days ago.

I know what you're thinking, though. It's so green. Well, here on the coastal plains of Texas, we don't get a lot fall color. Post Oaks aren't known for their changing leaves, Live Oaks are evergreen, then there are pines and cedars... You get the picture. 

Speaking of Live Oaks, there are some massive ones in our area and a good many here on the ranch. So many that we occasionally stumble onto one we've never seen before. Like this one we spotted the other day.

Notice how there are some big ole limbs stretching out from the main trunk. That one spreading to the right is almost as big as the trunk itself. Live Oaks can be some gnarly trees, but, boy, are they interesting or what? Just think of the tree house one could have in this thing.

This fall weather has me craving some autumnal-tasting cookies. Something with those fall spices we all love so much. Cinnamon and cloves...

And Oatmeal Raisin cookies fit the bill.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 to 1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 2 2/3 cups old fashioned oats
• 3/4 cup dried berries/raisin blend
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly coat with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugars.

Beat in the eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves, then, with the mixer on low, lest we send flying everywhere (experience talking), add flour mixture to shortening mixture and mix until blended.

Now stir in your oatmeal.

So about those nuts and the berry/raisin mixture.

First, I like to see and taste the nuts in my cookies, so I coarsely chop them.

And pecans are always my nut of choice. That said, you are allowed to use whatever nuts you like and chop them as finely as you prefer.

As for the berries and raisins, I had just a small handful of raisins on hand and about a half a cup of this dried berry fruit mix that had golden raisins, cherry flavored dried cranberries, regular dried cranberries and blueberry cranberries. Honestly, I loved it so much, I will probably make these cookies strictly with the berry blend from now on.

Add the fruit and nuts to the rest of the mixture

Stir to combine.

Then drop by large tablespoons onto your prepared baking pans.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. If you like them crispy, let them go the longer time, if you like them chewy, go with the lower time.

I ended up with a mixture of both.

Either way, they were so delicious. The spices, the berries... It was the perfect balance and had that delicious fall flavor I was craving.

Well, I got my book turned in a few days ahead of schedule. Now it's time to catch on some chores around the house before diving into the next one. And can you believe it's time to start thinking about Christmas. I have a lot of people on my gift list, so I'm always eager to get an early start.

Now it's your turn. When you're craving the flavors of fall, what your favorite thing to make to fulfill that craving?

Three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com