Loaded Oatmeal Cookies

Today is National Cookie Day! Did you know that the English word “cookie” is derived from the Dutch word “koekje,” which means little cake? Neither did we. You can’t say you don’t learn something when you visit this blog!

Every year I sign up for Food Network’s 12 Days of Cookies, where I am emailed a new cookie recipe every day from December 1 – 12. Seeing a new cookie recipe in my inbox makes me extremely happy. Not only does it allow me to try new recipes by celebrity chefs, it also gives me new ideas for my holiday baking. The recipe I am featuring for National Cookie Day is Paula Deen’s Loaded Oatmeal Cookies. I received this recipe on Day 3 of the 12 Days of Cookies. These beauties are soft, chewy and have the perfect mix of spices that make your taste buds dance. The brown butter icing on top of each cookie is also to die for.

You will need:

For the cookies:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the brown butter icing:
1/4 cup  butter
1.5 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Using an electric mixer, cream together butter, shortening, and sugar in a bowl until fluffy.

Should look like the image above.

Add egg and beat until mixture is light in color.

Should look like image above.

Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.

Stir into creamed mixture.

Looking good!

Fold in oatmeal, raisins, walnuts, and vanilla, blending well.

That’s some good lookin’ cookie batter.

Drop by rounded teaspoons onto cookie sheet.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in a 350 degree fahrenheit oven.

Cool slightly on a wire rack.

Don’t they look delicious? But we’re not done yet!

In a small saucepan heat butter over medium heat until golden brown, stirring occasionally.

You will notice the colour slowly turning golden brown and the smell becoming more nutty.

Remove saucepan from heat.

Stir in sifted powdered sugar and vanilla.

Stir in enough water (2 to 3 tablespoons) to make an icing of drizzling consistency.

Drizzle on warm cookies.

Put a few on a plate and share with friends.

Yummy!

Happy National Cookie Day!