Oatmeal Cookies

Do you do this? I can have a great recipe for something yet still I find myself looking for other recipes for the same thing. It's like I'm on a perpetual quest for a better recipe. Why? I don't know. Send me a quarter for my therapy jar and maybe someday I'll figure it out.

We watched Matthew Saturday so that Jason and Lori could go to the OSU-OU game. Jason graduated (undergrad) from OU and was really looking forward to the game.

You know how you have preconceived notions about what certain life-roles entail? Well, one for me is about being a Nana. I think when you visit your Nana's house there should always be cookies in the cookie jar. For Matthew, that means home-made cookies so I don't have to worry about any nasty peanut contamination. I decided to make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. Because I was running short on time Friday, I decided to just use an old stand-by recipe. Wow! I had forgotten how good they were. I'll definitely be making these again. One more thing--I tend to typically buy name brand products, I've never quite trusted most generics to be 'good enough'. Unfortunately the chocolate chips I usually buy are not safe for Matty, so I ended up with generic chocolate chips. I swear these were better than what I normally get. Good to know!

Oatmeal Cookies
2 1/2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg (opt. use only if making the raisin version)
3c. quick cooking or old-fashioned oats
12 oz. chocolate chips or 1 1/2 c. raisins or both!

Beat butter for 2 minutes. Add sugars and beat 2 minutes more, or until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda. Add spices if using. Mix into egg mixture in three increments beating after each addition, just until combined.

Mix in raisins or chips or both. Stir in oats.

Refrigerate anywhere from 20" to several days. (This is not strictly necessary, but it helps the cookies retain their shape as they bake. It can also be nice to make the dough one day and bake it the next. That's what I did this time. I made the dough Friday and baked it Saturday when Matthew was here so we could enjoy fresh from the oven cookies. My favorite!)

Drop by large tablespoonfuls (I use a cookie scoop) onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through, until lightly browned around edges. Cool 1" on cookie sheet, remove to wire rack. Cool.

Makes 36 large cookies.

One more Nana thing. Did you see the Toys R Us coupon in the paper on Sunday? Grrrr. It was for 20% off one item for grandparents. Reading the fine print, it's for grandparents over 50. Grrrr. I was not ready to be a Nana at the ripe old age of 39, but I did become one, and I don't think TRU should discriminate against me. My son had been married for two years and graduated from college by the time he became a Daddy. I feel like TRU is saying it doesn't count. I don't think I'm any less of a Nana because I'm a young one. Grrrr.