A Time for Cookies

I consider myself to be very lucky to have had the opportunity to spend thirteen years of my military career as a cook. One of the positions that I held, when I served at a base near the North Pole, was that of baker. I remember the times when the weather was stormy, and the temperature was freezing I would hide in my bake shop and make bread. The smells of the yeast, and the warmth from the ovens were most gratifying.

Some of my friends have often said that I went into pottery so that I could have decent dishes to serve my meals upon. I think they are right. I get a great deal of pleasure of serving food in my bowls and off my platters.

The years have passed, but my memories of the time spent in Canada’s north have not faded. The item that I enjoyed baking was cookies. The cookie method that I used came from "The Mennonite Treasury of Recipes,” published by Derksen Printers Ltd, Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada, 1962 printing." The recipe was for Dad’s Oatmeal Cookies. I still refer to this book. It is tired, tattered and starting to lose it's strength; nevertheless I continue to use the recipe whenever I get the urge to make these tasty delights.

I thought it would be nice to share this recipe with everyone who might like to try this delicacy.

Dad’s Oatmeal Cookies

It is a good idea to use a counter top mixer for this recipe as the hand held mixer will overheat.  One can also mix it by hand using a wooden spoon.  It just takes a bit of muscle power.

Add ingredients in the order that they appear.

·         1 cup butter

·         2 cups brown sugar

·         2 eggs

·         1 cup coconut

·         2 cups oatmeal, large flakes

·         2 cups flour

·         ½ tsp. baking soda

·         1 tsp. vanilla

·         2 tsp. baking powder

·         Pinch of salt

I usually cream my butter until soft. I also prefer to add my salt, baking powder and baking soda into the flour, but it is not necessary to do so. There was one time I forgot to add the second cup of brown sugar. The cookies were still delicious.
I use a heaping table spoon of the mix for each cookie. I roll it into a ball. Place the ball on a lightly greased cookie sheet. You then flatten it with a fork that is dipped in flour.
I bake in the center of the oven at 350deg. F. for 12 to 13 minutes or until brown.
Leave the cookies set in the pan for a few minutes before removing them with a spatula.
When they first come out of the oven they are soft, but they will become nice and crispy when they cool.
I make a cookie at a size that gives about 25 servings of two each.

I enjoy two cookies with my after dinner tea.   Of course, I use mugs that I create for my tea.

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