For The Cookie Monsters

There was a time when I kept two cookie jars on my kitchen counter. And they were almost always full. (Well, at least half full.) The jars were clear glass so you could see the cookies inside and they both sat in a special rack made especially to hold them. (I still have the set packed away somewhere. Uh . . . wonder where?) The jars and wooden holder sat on a counter right inside the back door and I swear they were like magnets that drew hungry hands to them as soon as anyone stepped in the door. Hubby and daughter both took cookies in their packed lunches everyday, and we had a lot of people in and out of the house who knew they could always help themselves to a cookie or two. Or three.

Because I wanted to make sure there was always a kind of cookie available that everyone liked, I usually had one jar filled with a non-nut cookie (I've never understood people not liking nuts in their cookies but each to his own, I guess) and almost always a cookie containing chocolate.

When looking for a cookie recipe to bake recently so I'd have some on hand in the freezer, I pulled out this recipe for Orange Oatmeals that I haven't made in an age. I've gotta be truthful here and admit I sampled one before packing them away. Oh gosh, they were sooo good! Then something bad happened. On two different occasions, I've also taken a couple out of the freezer that have found their way straight into my mouth without even having time to thaw.

ORANGE OATMEALS

3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange peel (or more)
2 eggs
2 cups unbleached white flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Cream butter and sugar.

Add the grated orange peel. (Before I've never measured this ingredient because I just grate the whole orange and add whatever I get. I did measure this time so I could tell you it was a bit over 2 tablespoons. I threw it all in.)

Add two eggs and beat well. Next add the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and stir until smooth.

Then mix in the oats, raisins and nuts, if desired. (I always soak my raisins in boiling water to cover and then drain thoroughly before adding to cookies.)

Drop onto a greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Remove to cooling racks. Makes about 40 cookies.

The cookies are yummy to serve just as they are above but I like to spread a little orange juice/powdered sugar frosting on each one to make them special.

I mixed about 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar with the juice from the orange I grated and that frosted all 40 cookies with just a smidge left over.

These cookies are much like a good oatmeal cookie but the added orange flavoring is wonderful. Trust me. Try 'em.