Cookies for the Soul

My extended family draws names for Christmas.  We all dread drawing one of the guys names because men seem to be historically difficult to buy a modestly priced gift for that have any real thought. Getting one of the girls makes for fun shopping, and thoughtful gift giving because we know each other so well.  We are a practical bunch, so things purchased are not silly, but genuinely wanted, but with a twist of personal touch.  The recipe I am going to share is from one such gift I received probably 19 years ago from my oldest brothers wife.  At that time I had been married about 8 years and most of  my kitchen bake ware had seen better times.  I desperately needed new cookie sheets.  I received from her one of the new at that time, insulated cookie sheets that  keep the pan just the right temperature and really help get perfectly baked cookies. 

The cookie sheet alone, as they are on the pricey side, would have been a lovely gift.  She thoughtfully added a bag of chocolate chips, a hand knitted potholder, and a recipe for the most scrumptious chocolate chip cookies I would ever eat. I like to think the addition of oatmeal in place of part of the flour, makes them healthy, or at least healthier. The combination of using real butter and not margarine or Crisco, with the oatmeal, gives a nutty caramel taste that is soothing right down to your soul. these are heartier than a regular chocolate chip, so freeze better, and stand up on a lunch bag. When it was the five of us at home, plus assorted neighborhood kids in and out of the house, I doubled the batch and we still went through them quickly.  I don't use the full bag of chips-maybe 2/3 as I like a little more of the cookie flavor to come through.  I do this with the Nestle Toll House recipe as well-reserve part of the chips.  If you are a chocolate fiend, go for the full bag!  We use the remaining chips for other house favorites like ants on a log or in pancakes or muffins.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 C Sugar

1/2 C Brown Sugar

1 Cup Butter** (Do not substitute anything for the butter)

2 Eggs

2 tsp. Vanilla

 

1 1/4 C Flour

2 C Quick Cooking oats

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Baking Soda

 

1 12 oz. Package semi-sweet Chocolate chips

 

Preheat oven to 350

Cream softened butter with the sugar, add eggs one at a time and blend well. In separate bowl combine flour, salt, and baking soda, add oats. Combine dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until well blended and you can easily make dough balls.  Add chocolate chips. 

 

Bake approximately 11 minutes.  For best results, bake only one cookie sheet at a time on middle rack, and let rest 2-3 minutes before removing from the sheet to a wire rack or paper for cooling.