Cowboy Cookies

(chocolate-chip oatmeal cookies)

These cookies are my favorite. The brown sugar-oatmeal flavor is very pronounced. The cookies freeze well...the recipe below makes about 4 dozen. (This recipe can be easily doubled.) The recipe comes from a cookbook written by Jeanne Lemlin called Vegetarian Pleasures, (1986).

1  cup unbleached white flour
½ cup whole wheat flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cups (1 & 1/2 sticks of butter), softened
¾ cup sugar
¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2  eggs
1  teaspoon vanilla extract
2  cups rolled oats (non-instant oatmeal)
1  cupchopped walnuts
1  cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a cookie sheet (or use parchment paper).
2. Combine the flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. Cream together the butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl until fluffy. Add the flour mixture and mix well.
4. Beat in the oats, nuts, and chocolate chips. (You might have to do this step by hand.) The dough will be crumbly.
5. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Be careful not to burn them. Thoroughly cool on a wire rack before storing in a tin.

My "Other" Job

I often get asked about my "real job."

Although I spent most of my time writing about cowboy boots... I also get paid to help groups of people make decisions.

For more information about group decision making visit www.DecidingOutLoud.com.