Blue Ribbon Oatmeal Cookies

Cool fall weather puts me in the mood for comfort food. Tonight, I made my husband's day when I presented him with the prospect of good old-fashioned cookies, warm out of the oven.

I still use the recipe that my mom made for me growing up. I don't know who won the blue ribbon originally or where my mom got this recipe. All I know is that it yields amazing, soft in the center, crunchy on the outside, perfect oatmeal cookies. You can go plain regular oatmeal (I prefer old-fashioned oats for their more chewy pronounced texture, although quick oats work as well); or, add raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips for variety. My mom is a chocolate nut and always added the chocolate.

Blue Ribbon Oatmeal Cookies

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
3 c. old-fashioned oats
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/c c. chopped nuts/raisins/chocolate chips (optional)

Cream the butter; add both sugars, eggs, vanilla. Mix well. In another bowl, mix the remaining dry ingredients together and gradually add to the creamed mixture. Shape into 1-inch balls and place about 3 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Cool.