Best Oatmeal Cookies

A friend brought over these cookies and shared them with our family. We were all impressed. It is pretty hard to get your socks knocked off by a regular oatmeal cookie, but these are exceptional. They have the chewy texture, the buttery flavor, and oatmeal nuttiness that is just perfect. I asked for the recipe and have made them several times. The recipe makes a huge quantity and the cookies freeze well when baked. I took them to a couple Christmas parties after I dunked them in milk chocolate and mini chocolate chips. Yum.

Family Favorite Oatmeal Cookies, from Jenni Birch

2 cup butter flavor shortening
2 cup sugar
2 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cup flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
6 cup quick oats
2 cup chopped nuts
Optional 2 cup choc chips or 2 cup raisins and 2 tsp cinnamon.

• Cream shortening and sugars.
• Blend in eggs and vanilla.
• Sift flour, salt, and soda.
• Fold into creamed mixture.
• Add oats and nuts then mix.
• Add choc chips or raisins last.
• Drop by rounded tablespoons onto cookies sheets.
• Flatten cookies with palm of hand.
• Bake at 350 for 10 – 12 minutes or until golden and lightly set.
• Cool for a few minutes on the sheet and then move to wire rack.
• Makes 10-11 dozen. This cookie freezes well and keeps in the cookie jar for about a week before becoming dry.