Dad’s Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies

Just in time for Father’s Day, these are the very best oatmeal cookies I’ve ever tasted! I’m sure you’ll agree that no oatmeal cookie can match them. Dipping these cookies in chocolate gives them a very “professional” look. 

Dad’s Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies:

1 c. butter or margarine, softened

1 c. granulated sugar

½ c. light brown sugar

1 egg

2 tbsp. molasses

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

¾ tsp. nutmeg

¾ tsp. allspice

1-½ c. large-flake rolled oats

1 c. medium-thread sweetened coconut
3 or 4 semi-sweet chocolate squares or 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 deg. F. Using electric beater, cream margarine and sugars until no graininess remains, about 5 min. Add egg, molasses, and vanilla, continuing to beat. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Gradually beat into sugar mixture. Stir in rolled oats and coconut. Roll into balls the size of a walnut (or use a melon baller, as I do), compressing with flat base of lightly floured glass 3-in. apart on ungreased baking sheet (or baking sheet lined with parchment paper). Bake about 14 min. Cool on baking sheet before transferring to wire rack. Makes 5 dozen.

If desired, dip half of each fully cooled cookie into chocolate melted on low power in microwave oven or over simmering - not boiling - water. Allow chocolate to set on rack. Store and re-melt unused chocolate for “next time.”

Best Tip Ever: If you use a small, high pan to melt your chocolate, dipping your cookies will be easier. Does this sound sexy or what?

Add brown sugar to softened butter or margarine

Gradually add granulated sugar

To creamed mixture, add an egg, molasses, and vanilla

Butter-egg mixture is now very creamy and caramel-colored

Measure rolled oats and cinnamon so they're ready to go

Measure out cinnamon

Add nutmeg, allspice, more flour

Level all dry ingredients for the most accurate measurement

In separate bowl, sift measured flour together with spices

Add spiced flour a little at a time, beating after each addition

Use a melon scoop and you'll never dirty your hands

Dip a flat-bottomed tumbler into flour

Flatten to 1/4-in. thickness

Bake in 350 deg. F. oven

Remove 12-to-15 min. later

These are fabulous dipped (or not dipped!) in chocolate

Sweet temptation!