It’s Not Christmas Without…

Mom’s oatmeal cookies. They are the only cookies that are an absolute must in our house.

I know, I know, mom. Couldn’t leave you out of the flashback pics though.

Admittedly, this week has gotten away from us a little. We haven’t had many home cooked meals and we’ve put our cooking around the world on hold for a few days. Rather we’ve been finishing up our holiday to do list – okay, we started and have almost finished up our holiday to do list. Fortunately I’m taking a day off work today and plan to finish everything up, because for the next three days it’s all about playing with the kids.

Now the one thing we made sure to have time for this week was mom’s oatmeal cookies. These little gems grace our holiday dessert table every year. I don’t know where the recipe originally came from, I just know it’s hands-down my favorite cookie. It’s sweet with a hint of vanilla and practically melts in your mouth. I don’t think it’s Mike’s favorite cookie, but he does ask that I only make them one time a year because he just can’t control himself around them. And the kids…well, they would eat these for every meal of the day if we let them.

We start with some very – eh hem – healthy ingredients: brown sugar, sugar and vegetable shortening. It is the holidays after all.

Mr. N worked on creaming those together for us.

For the first batch we used a combination of white, green and red sugar just for fun.

Then we mixed together our eggs and vanilla extract.

Mr. N was really getting a hang of the hand-mixer and blended them into the batter.

Next we sifted the flour, baking soda and salt together and mixed that into the batter a little bit at a time.

The next step in the recipe is to stir in the oatmeal, but before we do that we have one more important task.

Beaters! So far we have Mr. N’s overwhelming approval.

Now it’s time for the oatmeal.

Once the oats were mixed in, Miss A formed our cookies,

and set them on the cookie sheet. I have a hunch as I was futzing with my camera that she may have eaten a few of those cookie balls too.

We then popped the cookies into the oven at 350F for 7-1/2 to 8 minutes. My mom’s note card says that the cookies bake for 10 to 12 minutes, so if you prefer them a bit more crunchy they can bake longer. We like ours crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

The kids and I made sure to test a cookie from each batch that we baked, straight from the oven of course. Mr. N preferred the first batch. I’m really not sure how it’s any different than the others, but he’s insistent on it.

Now, while these cookies are delicious right out of the oven, I swear they get better a day later. That’s when I find them addictive. Mike too. He came home from work and went straight for the cookies. He then asked that I hide them until Christmas.

I hid them…but not well. I seem to keep finding them. But hey, that’s why we made three batches right?!

I just hope there’s some left for Santa.

Now I’m off to go finally finish my Christmas shopping with the rest of the last-minute shoppers. We hope that you all have a wonderful holiday weekend, a delicious, fun-filled Christmas and we’ll see you next week with a few post holiday treats. Happy holidays!

Print this recipe: Oatmeal Cookies

50 thoughts on “It’s Not Christmas Without…”

  2. Pingback: Staples « Eat, Play, Love
  4. spicegirlfla says:
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    Simply too cute! Those pics with the beaters are priceless!! Nothing beats mom’s recipes to bring back memories and create new ones for your little ones! I’m sure Santa was very pleased!!

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  8. Karen says:
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    I have oatmeal cookies on my Christmas table as well but mine have raisins in them. I know that lots of people don’t like raisins but you must add fruits to your diet. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.

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  9. profiterolesandponytails says:
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    My husband has NEVER asked me to hide cookies, or anything else that I’ve made….but I live in hope now. Adding the red and green sugar was such a good idea — I have to write that one down for next year (otherwise I can’t trust my memory). Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!

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  12. Lisa says:
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    Your kids are so adorable in the kitchen. I bet Santa will love these cookies, they look chewy and moist. Okay I’m hungry for some cookies now!
    BTW, I think we had that exact same sofa when I was a kids and the same knit blacket but with orange and brown color scheme! lol Wishing your and your family a Merry Christmas!

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    • Kristy says:
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      I forgot I had mentioned these. LOL. They are my favorite cookies – hands down. As my sister-in-law said, they’re really more of a sugar cookie with a bit of oatmeal…my kind of cookie. 😉 Happy Holidays to you and yours as well Sawsan!

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  16. Yvette says:
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    These look great and who can deny that oatmeal cookies aren’t the best. Your added Christmas coloured sugar to these is a wonderful idea, the texture of these look really crunchy…just perfect. Joyful blessings for the festive season.x

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    • Kristy says:
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      I think I’ve hid too many desserts around here. People are starting to catch on to where I hide things. LOL. 😉 I hope you had a great Christmas Caroline. Your scalloped potatoes were a big hit. 🙂

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  19. Kay aka Babygirl says:
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    Oh I just love a family recipe Kristy :). And just look at your two sous chefs.. they did a wonderful job. Now onto hiding those delectable oatmeal cookies.. it doesn’t work when you hide them and know where they are lol. You have to have your mother come over and hide them for you LOL. That way you won’t eat them all lol. I figured you’ve been busy lately.. but always remember to stop and enjoy this time. You and your family are amazing! Me and my family would like to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas an an amazing New Year 🙂

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    • Kristy says:
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      Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too Kay! I hope you’re having a wonderful time. I know we are – definitely doing some relaxing now. 😉 Happy holidays! We love ya! 🙂

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  20. Eva Taylor says:
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    I absolutely LOVE oatmeal cookies, but I have to side with Mike on this one, HIDE them PLEASE! I like the addition of the coloured sugar to make them festive! Nice to see Miss A and Mr N like cookie dough, JT can’t understand this addiction!

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    • Kristy says:
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      Well, Mr. N and Miss A would be happy to eat JT’s share of the cookie dough. You should see them come running when they know I’m making cookies. “Is it beater time yet?!” 🙂 I hope you had a wonderful holiday Eva! Merry Christmas. 🙂

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  21. Kelly @ Inspired Edibles says:
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    What a perfect post to finish up with Kristy! That flashback picture is just the best… one of the sweetest mother and daughter/s picture I’ve ever seen. And, speaking of sweet ;), love the traditional oatmeal cookies… nothing like a little piece of mom gracing the table at Christmas time… Mr. N and Miss A looking very focused and adorable as always. I hope your day goes well Kristy – All the best to you and family for a brilliant Christmas – xo (it’s snowing today – not much but enough to give a white glow… yay!!! :))

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    • Kristy says:
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      Thanks Kelly! I like that picture of my mom with us as well. Although it’s hard to beat the one of her wearing the Wonder Woman mask as she’s feeding my baby sister. Apparently it was how she was able to keep the jealous big sister happy during feeding time. LOL. I hope you had a fabulous holiday with your boys Kelly! I know we had a much need relaxing weekend around here. 🙂

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  27. Charles says:
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    Does this mean that you don’t have a specific “Christmas Cake” per se, in the states? I’ve often wondered this. The blogosphere seems to be bursting at the seams with cookies this time of year… they’re not something which is that common for Christmas in England!

    In any case – they look fab. Oatmeal cookies are just my favourite 🙂 I don’t envy you your shopping. Amazon FTW!

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    • Kristy says:
      Reply

      Well, there are lots of jokes about holiday fruit cakes, but I’ve never had one. Cookies are definitely a big part of the holiday here. I’m not really sure if there is a specific cake though. And I’m with you – oatmeal cookies (especially these) are my favorites. It’s a good thing we only make them once a year. (Although I think they have popped out at my birthday a time or two.) And yeah I’m with you. I usually do lots of shopping on Amazon for the holidays. For some reason this year, I didn’t order a single thing online. I think that has to do with my procrastination this year though. 😉 Have a great trip Charles!!! I hope it’s a wonderful trip and I can’t wait to see your pictures.

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