Tommy's Coming

and so is Gina!! So what is a mother to do when her son and daughter by love are coming to visit?? Why bake our favorite oatmeal cookies, of course! This will be the first visit by either of my sons since we moved! Can you tell I am excited?? Oh, and in case you are interested, here is the recipe for THE BEST cookies!

Oatmeal Cinnamon Crispies
Makes 100 2 1/2 inch cookies but they freeze really well!

2 1/2 cups butter, softened
5 cups sugar
1/3 cup dark molasses
4 eggs
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
4 1/3 cups flour
4 3/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups finely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 375 and grease baking sheets (or line with parchment)
Cream butter and add sugar gradually, then the molasses. Beat until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Add the baking powder, soda, salt cinnamon and vanilla. Blend all together. Add flower slowly, blending as you add. Add the oatmeal and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto the baking sheets and bake for 5 to 9 minutes or until the cookies are medium brown and a bit crinkly looking. Allow them to sit on the cookie sheets for about 3 mins. before moving to a wire rack.

I've been known to add raisins and dried cranberries to the batter but for some reason neither of my sons appreciate that.