Farmhouse Oatmeal Drop Cookies and a Birthday Greeting

Happy Birthday Tony! I’d be there with you but I’m afraid you might ask to me drive a tractor in the rain.  (Do you remember when? I think that was the day I said I was not going to live on a farm. In my memory it was the same way Scarlett said she would never be hungry again in Gone with the Wind. Thanks also for taking me to see that movie. It was the first time I ever went to a theater and I’ll never forget it.)

Here’s another family recipe straight from the farm. Nothing fancy. Nothing pretentious. Just old-fashioned, soft and spicy goodness. My sister-in-law has been making these for my brother, Tony, for years. She packs them in little plastic bags so he can grab a package out of the freezer on his way out the door–usually to hop on a tractor.

These cookies are a great way to use  raisins that may be a little past their prime. Microwaving them in water and allowing them to set for a few minutes magically revives them.

Farmhouse Oatmeal Drop Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup raisins
5 tablespoons water
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cloves
4 tablespoons milk
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups oatmeal (quick-cooking, not instant)
1/2 cups toasted pecans

Directions:

1. Microwave the raisins in water for 1 minute. Set aside to cool.
2. Whisk together flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves.
3. Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs one at a time and continue beating.
4. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to batter.
5. Gently mix in oatmeal, raisins and toasted pecans.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12-15 minutes until evenly browned.

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