Oatmeal Cookies - THESE are now my favorites!

I like oatmeal cookies best of all and have tried many different recipes over the years. With a few tweaks to the ingredients, I now declare these to be my all-time favorites . . . until I find another one. I'm fickle that way when it comes to oatmeal cookies. Naturally, I'm willing to share.

Oatmeal Cookies - Barbara's Way

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed, dark brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups long-cooking, rolled oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup of chopped dried apricots

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Mix together the butter and sugars, beating until well-combined. Thoroughly mix in the eggs, vanilla and baking soda. Add the zest and mix. Add the flour, oats, walnuts, and apricots to the bowl and mix until you have a thick dough.

Drop by tablespoons on a lightly-greased baking sheet. Press each cookie down with the bottom of a glass or cup dipped in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.  A tip: Parchment paper is terrific for this as the cookies bake more evenly and there is no clean up. If you use parchment paper, you don't need to grease the baking sheets.

Bake for approximately 15 minutes. After you remove them from the oven, let them sit a moment to firm up.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies depending on the size you make.

Ideas . . .

Dried cranberries or raisins would be could substitutes for the dried apricot bits.

Of course, you can add chocolate chips!

Walnuts are not a law, just a suggestion from my own taste palette. You can use peanuts, almonds, pecans . . .

Homemade Granola

I remember when granola first made an appearance in my neck of the woods. These days, it shows up everywhere but is often a bit expensive. Although the ingredients for making your own might seem a tad pricy, remember that it goes a long way and you will know exactly what went into your creation. Your family can also have their input into the end result so you have some assurance that they will actually eat it.

Homemade Granola

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, shelled
1/2 cup pumpkin seed, shelled
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup  toasted almonds
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I like olive oil)
2 tablespoons molasses
1/4 cup corn syrup

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Combine the rest of the ingredient in a separate bowl and stir until well combined. Pour into the dry mixture and mix well to coat all the nuts and oats.

Spread the mixture in a shallow baking pan or rimmed cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes. Stir several times during the baking. Bake until the mixture is dry and has crunch.

Additions:

This is a very basic granola mix. You can make it your own with ingredients that appeal to your own family. Here are some ideas/suggestions:

After the granola has cooled, mix in some small, candy-coated chocolate candies.
Toss in a handful of tiny marshmallows. The colorful ones are fun!
Toast some coconut and mix in 1/4 cup for taste.
Some toffee bits couldn't hurt.
Raisins or dried fruit bits can be tasty.
Some sweetened cereal can be added for texture.

Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to the granola before baking takes it to a whole, new level.
A teaspoon of vanilla extract before baking is good.

When you batch of designer granola is completely cooled, put servings into individual sandwich bags that seal. You now have something to hand your hungry family when you hear that familiar refrain, "Mom! There isn't anything to eat!"