Mrs. Fields & iVillage 30th Anniversary Cookie Contest (686 photos) Oatmeal Cookies (86 photos)

Leni'sBestEver Oatmeal Cookies

This recipe was given to me by a friend and mentor who got it while visiting a spa in the 1970's. I added a few elements and have been making the cookies since then with rave reviews. I've never seen another recipe that uses this process. The resulting cookie is both chewy and crisp. My son's football team won the CIF championship the year I was one of the team moms and made dozens and dozens of these cookies for them. I like to think the cookies contributed to their winning season.

Leni's Best Ever Oatmeal Cookies

4cups Oatmeal (1 Minute oats)(or a combination of Old Fashion & minute)
2 cups Dark Brown Sugar (Packed)
1 cup Oil (I use Canola)
Mix and leave above ingredients for 8hrs or overnight. THEN ADD:
2 Eggs (well beaten)
1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
1 teaspoon Almond Extract or 1/2 t.Almond Extract and 1/2 t.Vanilla
Add Raisins and Nuts if you like (I use about 1/2 Cup of each)

SCOOP scant 1/4c mounds of dough onto greased cookies sheet, 2 inches apart (use silicone baking sheet for best results). Flatten mounds. BAKE at 350 degrees(F) for 12 to 15 minutes. Cookies should have a deep brown edge of melted sugar. Cool before removing from cooking sheet. MAKES 2 dozen large cookies