Kozy Kitchen and Home

This oatmeal cookie recipe has been a cherished part of our family for generations, beloved for its soft, cakey texture. Each batch fills our kitchen with the comforting aroma of oatmeal and cinnamon, instantly gathering everyone together. These cookies are endlessly adaptable—sometimes we bake them plain, simply enjoying the flavors as they are, while other times we mix in different fruits or nuts for variety. The memories of baking these cookies with my daughter (and now my grandchildren), who helped me stir the dough and always snuck a few oats, are some of my most cherished family moments.

In this version, we add dried sweetened cranberries (Craisins) and chopped walnuts. The cozy combination of cinnamon and cranberries gives each cookie a sweet, chewy bite, while the walnuts add just the right amount of crunch. If you’d like to experiment, try swapping the cranberries for raisins or dried cherries, or add pecans or chocolate chips for a new twist. It’s always fun to see how new add-ins create a unique cookie each time.

I hope these cookies bring as much joy to your family as they have to ours—through celebrations, quiet afternoons, and generations of shared stories. Baking together has always been one of our favorite ways to connect, and passing this recipe along reminds me of all the laughter and love that fills our kitchen. May your own memories grow with every batch!

Ingredients

• ½ cup of shortening
• 1 cup of sugar
• ½ cup of milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp of baking soda
• 1 ½ cups of flour
• 1 ½ cups of oatmeal
• ½ tsp of salt
• 2 tsp of cinnamon
• ½ cup of dried sweetened cranberries (Craisins), chopped
• ¼ cup of chopped walnuts

Step by Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with a silicone liner or parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening and sugar.
3. Add the egg and mix to combine.
4. Add the milk along with the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt and mix until well combined.

5. Fold in the oatmeal, cranberries, and walnuts.
6. Drop by rounded teaspoonful onto cookie sheets and bake for 8 to 9 minutes, until lightly golden on top. Cool for 1–2 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet and let cool completely on a wire rack.
7. This recipe makes approximately 4 dozen cookies.

Share your story

Do you have any favorite generational cookie recipes in your family? I’d love to hear about them. It’s amazing how one simple recipe can spark traditions and create special memories. Happy baking!