Oatmeal cookies
3 to 4 dozen cookies
1 cup flour
1¼ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
¾ teaspoon vanilla
1½ cups quick-cooking rolled oats
Mix flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Beat shortening and sugar until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Blend in flour mixture. Stir in rolled oats. Chill.
Shape dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place about 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350° F. (moderate oven) 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove from baking sheet while warm.
Variations
Raisin-oatmeal cookies.—Add ½ cup raisins with the oats.
Coconut- or nut-oatmeal cookies.—Add ½ cup flaked coconut or ½ cup chopped nuts with the oats.
Orange-oatmeal cookies.—Add 2 tablespoons orange juice and 1 teaspoon grated orange rind to shortening and sugar mixture. Add ½ cup raisins and ½ cup chopped nuts with the oats. Chill dough thoroughly; drop from teaspoon onto baking sheet.