Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins and Walnuts

The New Year is upon us once again. If you are anything like me, this is a time to renew our commitment to embark on a quest for better eating habits. More fruits and vegetables, more fiber. Less meat, less fat and definitely less sugar.

As a matter of fact, all of us are consuming less fiber than we should, way less. So as an answer to that, I have a recipe for a cookie that will up our fiber intake. This is genuinely satisfying, you'll hardly notice you're doing something healthy for your body.

Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins and Walnuts

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup refined sugar
1-1/4 cups firmly-packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons evaporated milk
1-1/4 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts


1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease cookie sheets.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon powder and oats. Set aside.
3. In mixer, cream butter, shortening, refined sugar and brown sugar for 5 minutes.
4. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
5. At low mixer speed, add flour mixture.
6. Fold in raisins and walnuts by hand.
7. Scoop dough onto prepared cookie sheets two inches apart.
8. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
9. Transfer to racks to cool completely.

Makes 5 dozen medium-sized cookies.