cookie of the month

In 2008 Mindi had a year of cookies on her blog and she had some great recipes. Her photography is amazing too. But, it's inspired me to do some baking this year too. I realized that I bought this baking mat last June or July and I had never used it yet. Shame on me! It works like a charm, the cookies slide right off of it.

January's cookie - oatmeal raisin from the October/November 1998 issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion.

Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

makes about 30

3 eggs, well beaten
1 cup raisins
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/3 cups brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups oatmeal, quick-cooking
3/4 cup pecans, chopped (optional)

1. Combine eggs, raisins and vanilla in a bowl and let stand, covered, for 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 350.
3. Cream together butter and sugars. Add flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda. Mix well.
4. Add raisin mixture, oatmeal and optional choppped nuts. Dough may seem a little dry; don't worry.
5.Drop by tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet about 2" apart.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on rack.