My grandmother, "Maw Maw", has been on my mind lately. She hasn't been feeling too well so I made some cookies in her honor. These cookies are really just chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, but in my (and my cousins') book, they're called "Maw Maw Cookies".
I loved helping Maw Maw make these cookies because she would let me sample along the way.
Here's what you need:
3/4 c. shortening1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. water
1 tsp vanilla
3 c. oats
1 c. flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 bag chocolate chips (not pictured)
First cream the shortening and sugars together.
Maw Maw would always let me eat a little brown sugar. Does anyone else do this?
Next beat in the egg, water and vanilla. I always loved opening the vanilla bottle and smelling it.
Now mix in the flour, salt, and baking soda.
As a child I would get to eat a little spoonful at this point, but after some cooking classes and knowledge of raw eggs, I don't sample here anymore. :)
Now mix in the oats. I love the smell at this point.
Next, you stir in the whole bag of chocolate chips. Maw Maw was always sure to "drop" a few chocolate chips on a napkin for me to enjoy.
Drop by rounded spoonfuls on an ungreased cookie sheet.
My little trick (which most people probably do it this way) is to take two spoons and scoop batter into one and then scrape that spoon off with another one.
See? Nice, clean, and round.
Bake the cookies at 350 degrees for about 12-15 minutes.
When the cookies start to brown around the edges, then take them out. The centers may not look done but if you allow them to cool for 2 minutes on the pan then the sugars will still be hot and cook the cookie throughout. This is something that I'm sure you know but I always have to tell my students.
Now let them cool on a wire rack for a bit.
I always loved going out to play while the cookies were baking and then coming back in and smelling the yummy air. As a kid we could get two cookies and some milk. I wish someone would've controlled how many I ate after I made these yesterday. :)
I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather!
Maw Maw would always let me eat a little brown sugar. Does anyone else do this?
Next beat in the egg, water and vanilla. I always loved opening the vanilla bottle and smelling it.
Now mix in the flour, salt, and baking soda.
As a child I would get to eat a little spoonful at this point, but after some cooking classes and knowledge of raw eggs, I don't sample here anymore. :)
Now mix in the oats. I love the smell at this point.
Next, you stir in the whole bag of chocolate chips. Maw Maw was always sure to "drop" a few chocolate chips on a napkin for me to enjoy.
Drop by rounded spoonfuls on an ungreased cookie sheet. 
My little trick (which most people probably do it this way) is to take two spoons and scoop batter into one and then scrape that spoon off with another one.
See? Nice, clean, and round.
Bake the cookies at 350 degrees for about 12-15 minutes.
When the cookies start to brown around the edges, then take them out. The centers may not look done but if you allow them to cool for 2 minutes on the pan then the sugars will still be hot and cook the cookie throughout. This is something that I'm sure you know but I always have to tell my students.
Now let them cool on a wire rack for a bit.
I always loved going out to play while the cookies were baking and then coming back in and smelling the yummy air. As a kid we could get two cookies and some milk. I wish someone would've controlled how many I ate after I made these yesterday. :)
I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather! 
