Classic Oatmeal Cookies

In ‘The Everything Cookies and Brownies Cookbook’

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Yields: 60 cookies

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1  egg
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 3  cups old-fashioned oatmeal, uncooked
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1  cup  shredded coconut (optional)
• 1  cup raisins (optional)
• 1  cup  chopped pecans (optional) or 1  cup  chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees; lightly grease cookie sheets.
2. Beat together shortening and sugars until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in egg, vanilla, and water.
4. Combine dry ingredients; stir into creamed mixture.
5. Add any optional ingredients, fold inches.
6. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheets.
7. Bake 12-15 minutes.
8. Allow to cook 5 minutes before removing from cookie sheets to rack.