August 4: "Big as a Boat" Oatmeal Cookies

"Big as a Boat" Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups (6.8 oz) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup (3.4 oz) shortening
4 tablespoons (2 oz) unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 tablespoons honey
1 large egg
1/3 cup pecans or walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or chocolate chips (optional)

1. Mix the flour, oats, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon together in a medium-size bowl; set aside.
2. Place the shortening and butter in a microwave-safe mixing bowl and melt for 1 minute on high. Using a wooden spoon, stir in both sugars and the vanilla, honey, and egg. Stir in the flour mixture into the sugar mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in the nuts and raisins.
3. Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop up the dough and arrange 12 mounds on a foil-lined plate. The dough should be a little sticky at this point, but chilling will fix that. Chill for an hour, or until the dough is firm.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 and place a rack in the center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick foil.
5. Let the dough balls come to room temperature. Arrange the dough balls about 5 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet and press down slightly to make 2 1/2 inch rounds. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are browned and the middles appear set. Let cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Addition of sugars

Addition of vanilla, egg and honey

Addition of the dry ingredients

Addition of the pecans

Thoughts: These cookies' baking times were not what the recipe said. I had made another batch without nuts that I baked first and they were coming out a little raw after 12 minutes at 350. The book said that it might happen so they recommended lowering the temp and extending the time. I changed the temp to 325 and put them in for about 16 minutes. The cookies were just ok. Patrick didn't like them at first but he ended up thinking they were fine.