Grandma Mabel's Gumdrop Cookies

This recipe was created by Art Smith's (Oprah chef) Grandmother Mabel. A holiday cookie that kids will love any time of the year. You can vary the color of the gumdrops for the holiday--green for St Patrick's day, etc.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 36
• Yields: 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter
• 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1  cup sugar
• 2  eggs
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2  cups quick-cooking oatmeal
• 1  cup flaked coconut
• 1  cup pecans, coarsely chopped
• 1  cup  gumdrop, cut into pieces

Directions

1. Cream the butter, margarine and sugar together.
2. Add vanilla and the eggs one at a time until well blended.
3. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together and add to egg mixture.
4. Stir until mixed well.
5. By hand, stir in the coconut flakes, chopped pecans, oatmeal and sliced gumdrops until just mixed.
6. Refrigerate the dough until it is thoroughly chilled (at least 3 hours).
7. (Chilling the dough will help the cookies keep their shape).
8. Once the dough is chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F.
9. Take a heaping tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball about the size of a walnut.
10. Place on a greased or parchment lined cookie sheet about 6 inches apart.
11. Bake for about 10 minutes or until light brown.