Oma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
I’m not sure if I should really be releasing this recipe to the world. Is it a treasured family secret? Well, it’s certainly a treasured family recipe. There was always a fresh-baked plate of these cookies waiting whenever grandchildren came to visit my Oma. Or if they weren’t on the counter, the plate would be hidden in her china cabinet, ready for unveiling after dinner. In the spirit of the holidays, I shall unleash these delights upon the world. I have to confess, I often add chocolate chips to the recipe. Chopped nuts and sunflower seeds are also very tasty additions. I almost always use whole wheat flour, which makes them denser and chewier, if you like that. If not, they are quite fluffy. I have also made a vegan version of these by using vegetable oil and almond milk as substitutions. Using a mashed banana in place of some of the fat is mighty tasty too.
Oma’s Delectable Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
1 c flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
3/4 c shortening or butter
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
3/4 c brown sugar, packed
1/2 c white sugar
1/3 c milk
3 c oatmeal
1 c raisins
Sift dry ingredients and set aside. Cream together shortening (or butter) and sugars, add eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture and half the milk, blend, then add remaining milk and blend. Add oatmeal and raisins, mix well, and then drop by teaspoons onto a greased cookie sheet (which will yield 6 dozen small cookies. If you drop by tablespoons for big cookies, you get about 24). Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes. Tip: if you like them soft, take them out around 10 minutes and let them cool a bit before removing from the sheet.



A number of things have happened to me in the past year that I’ve had serious questions for God about. Things I haven’t liked and that to me, felt patently unjust. The sort of “how would Someone who loves me treat me like this” questions. They don’t shake my faith because I trust and believe in God’s goodness and love for me. But it doesn’t change the fact that things happen I don’t like and I don’t understand.