Oatmeal Cookies

Bake at 350^o F for 10 to 12 minutes  yield approx. 6 dozen:

  

1 cup (2 sticks) margarine, softened              1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking SODA                               1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

1 cup firmly packed brown  sugar                  ½ teaspoon salt (optional)

½ cup granulated sugar                                  3 cups uncooked oatmeal

2 eggs                                                             1 cup dried/or candied chopped fruit

1 teaspoon vanilla                                          (cherries, raisons, cranberries, etc)

1 ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)                1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

  

Heat oven to 350⁰ F.  Beat together margarine and sugars until creamy.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Sift/stir dry ingredients ( flour, baking soda, cinnamon & salt) together.  Add to wet mixture and mix well.  Stir in oatmeal, dried fruit, and chocolate chips.  Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto UN-greased cookie sheet.  Bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.  Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet, then remove to wire rack.

(Bar Cookie : Bake 30 to 35 minutes in un-greased 13 X 9 inch metal baking pan.)

• Laura adapted this from Quaker Oats recipe