Vernon Oatmeal Cookies & Variations
The Best Oatmeal Cookie every baked!
For as long as I can remember my brother Vernon, was especially fond of "Vernon Cookies" because he thought that they were made just for him. The rest of us cookie monsters enjoyed the cookies because they were so very good. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that they are the best oatmeal cookies I have ever eaten!
If they weren't made especially for Vernon," you may ask, "why are they called Vernon cookies?" Well, I'll explain.
"Like many housewives who got married during the war years, mum didn't buy many cookbooks but got most of her best recipes from good friends and the local newspaper. While it covered the local stories and who was having tea at whose home, like most newspapers, it also had a section for homemakers where seasonal recipes were included. The name of the "rag" our newspaper boys delivered to our house was, "The Vernon Daily." So these cookies had been named after the town of Vernon, B.C. Canada.
I believe that my brother knows the origin of the cookie name now, but if not, sorry Vernon. I'll still make them for you.
Photo: Wikipedia public domain.
You'll notice that there are not many on the plate. That's because they were snatched and eaten the moment they were cool. My back was turned so I didn't catch the culprit.
For the Cookie Monsters in your home.
Can you just imagine sweet, little, Billy helping mummy make his favorite cookies. On his curly, red, hair he has the Cookie Monster hat perched. His Uncle James gave it to him. Mum has tied the flaps up so that they won't get caught in the mixer.
You notice Billy sneek a piece of cranberry. "It accidently slipped out of the bowl, mum. I just rescued it," he said quite innocently.
Here's a cookie Monster - Mmmmm Good!
Do you think that the cookie monsters in your home will like these cookies
"These are the best oatmeal cookies you will ever taste. You may want to substitute currants for the raisins. I have done so. If you want to give them sort of a sweet and sour taste, replace the raisins with cranberries. If you find yourself making them often, try adding walnuts, peanuts or after flattening them make an indentation and add a little bit of homemade jelly preserve in each cookie.
You might find that this is the only cookie recipe you will ever need to satisfy the cookie monsters in your home.
I guarantee that you will want seconds and quite possibly more.
O-kay, here is the recipe.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup shortening (I use butter)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup coconut
- 1 cup raisins or cranberries (chopped)
- 1 cup rolled oats (Quick)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- 1. Mix shortening and sugar to a "corn" consistency.
- 2. Add eggs and vanilla.
- 3. Mix all of the dry ingredients, including the fruit and coconut, into a large bowl .
- 4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix. (A stiff batter - resist the urge to add more liquid.)
- 5. Roll into balls and flatten with a floured fork or drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet.
- Bake 375 F. for 10-15 minutes. (Mine take 11 minutes.)
Here is my cookie jar. - Isn't' he cute?
Cookie Jars - Similar to mine but not quite the same.
I love my snowman cookie jar. Everyone comments on it when they come to visit. It is very well made and I think that it adds a bit of character to my kitchen.
For the cookie monster's mum. - Put these recipe books on your wishlist
It is easy to go to the internet now and find a recipe. First though you need to know what you are looking for. I prefer to have a book on hand that I can flip through to find my favorite recipe or a new recipe that is tried and tested.
Here are a few recipe books that I would like to have in my collection.
Pretty serving dishes - What do you think?
Do pretty serving dishes really make a difference as to how something tastes?
Show off your yummy cookies .. - I like to put cookies on pretty serving plates.
Photo Credit:
Thank you!
Will has generously supplied all of the photos for this lens. If you haven't already taken in the plethora of beautiful photos and inspiring digital artwork of this artist, I encourage you to do so.
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Thank you.
