Sweet Treats Perfect for the Lunchbox, Oatmeal Raisin Cinnamon Cookies

One of the easiest things to learn in the kitchen is baking cookies.  Most of us learned to bake cookies as kids.  I vividly remember my mother allowing me to “help” her…God bless her for her patience…bake cookies.  I was so excited when I was allowed to take on the project on my own.  I remember coming home from a junior high home economics class with my chocolate chip cookie recipe in hand.  I couldn’t wait to tell her how excited I was to make these for my family.  She looked at my recipe and asked if I was planning to do that now.  Of course I was.  She looked around her perfectly clean kitchen, I realized later that she had just cleaned the kitchen and mopped the floor, and told me I should get right to it.  Then she told me I needed to remember I would have to clean up my mess.  (Treat her kindly for me, God.  She deserves it!)  So have patience with your youngsters and get them in the kitchen and let them help you make these cookies.  Someday you will be gone, but they will always have the memories of these times spent with you…even when they are grandparents themselves!

OATMEAL RAISIN CINNAMON COOKIES

1 cup butter, softened1 cup light brown sugar, packed1/3 cup granulated sugar2 eggs1 1/2 tsps vanilla extract1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1 tsp baking soda2 1/2 cups quick cooking oats1 pkg (10 oz) cinnamon chips (I prefer HERSHEY’S)3/4 cup raisinsPreheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla; beat well. In a small bowl, combine the flour and baking soda. Add to the butter mixture, beating well. Stir in the oats, cinnamon chips, and raisins. The batter will be stiff. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 1 minute on the cookie sheet before removing to cool completely on wire racks.Yield: Approximately 4 dozen

Enjoy!