Oatmeal Raisin

    I've been making oatmeal raisin cookies for as long as I can remember.  In fact, I think they may have been one of the cookies I learned how to make in home economics class in high school.  So when I went looking for my recipe to make Christmas cookies with, I was surprised to realized I've never blogged these cookies.

   Oatmeal raisin cookies are simple to make and taste delicious.  I like to slightly under cook them so that the edges are just crispy brown and the insides are soft and chewy.  I also like to add in some applesauce in place of some of the butter to make the cookie a little healthier.  The cookies turned out wonderful as usual.  I've found it's pretty difficult to mess these up so they are the perfect beginner's cookie.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (adapted from food.com)
3 ⅓ c. flour
1 ½ t. baking soda
1 ½ t. baking powder
1 ½ t. salt
1 T. cinnamon
1 c. butter (2 sticks)
½ c. applesauce
1 ⅔ c. sugar
1 ⅔ c. brown sugar
3 eggs
1 T. vanilla
4 c. oats
2 c. raisins

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  

2.  In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.  Set aside.

3.  In another large mixing bowl cream the butter and the sugars together.  Stir in the applesauce.  Beat in the eggs one at a time until they are well combined.  Stir in the vanilla.

4.  Stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and mix until no flour is visible.

5.  Stir in the oats and raisins until just combined.

6.  Drop cookies by heaping teaspoon onto a cookie sheet making sure the cookies are 2 inches apart.  Bake for 11-13 minutes or until golden brown.

7.  Remove from oven and and cool on a wire rack.