It's that time of year again where we fill our homes with scents of fresh baked goodies! Every year I always plan my holiday parties to be better than the previous. One important thing I must remember is to not let stress get the best of me during the plannings. It's the time of year for new beginnings and sweet memories to be made!
Don't forget to stock up on flour, butter, sugar, and any other baking ingredients now while they are on sale! Last year, I bought 10 bags of sugar when they went on sale for $1.88 a bag! (I am down to 1 now!!!) When Christmas comes around, the prices for sugar goes back up to $3.89 a bag! (So if you know of any good deals, please let me know!!!)
To start off the season, I decided to bake Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. These were my grandmother's favorite kind! This was the last cookie recipe I made for her before she passed away. Even though she could barely eat, she tried my cookie... I could remember sitting there watching her eat it and nod her head indicating that they were good. Needless to say, I will always make this recipe in remembrance of her. (Even if there are better recipes out there...)
Below is a picture of her and I last Christmas. I am so grateful & fortunate that she allowed my uncle to take this picture; since she was diagnosed with lung cancer, she never let anyone take a picture of her. This is a photo that I will cherish forever...
This is not your typical Oatmeal Raisin Cookie with cinnamon and lots of oatmeal... I call this the "2-2-2 Oatmeal Raisin Cookie"! 2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 2 cups oats! Lots of 1s and 2s in this recipe!
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Ingredients
* 2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
* 1 cup white granulated sugar
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 2 eggs
* 2 teaspoons vanilla
* 2 cups old fashion oats
* 1 cup golden raisins
* 1 cup regular raisins
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) (Dry mixture) In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3) (Wet Mixture) In a different bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
4) Whisk the eggs well into the wet mixture.
5) Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir well until no flour is visible.
6) Stir in the oats and raisins.
7) Spoon cookie dough onto cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until golden.
8) Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest on the tray for a couple of minutes.
9) Transfer to cookie wire rack for cooling.
My uncle Johnny ending up trying these cookies and was shocked at how delicious they were! He claims that they taste just like the fresh bakeries!
Last year I started a new family tradition. Since I am the oldest grandchild and my husband & I bought a home, I decided that we should hold a baking day with my little cousins each year before Christmas. Not only does this give my aunts and uncles time to go shopping, but it helps create memories and a bond between all of the grandkids. Along with our sugar cookies, homemade frosting, and chocolate chip cookies, I will be sure to teach them this year how to make these Oatmeal Cookies. (My sister is awesome at baking sugar cookies, so the credit goes to her as well!)
I hope you guys do get a chance to try the recipe out! Or even share your Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe!
Cheers!
