Spicy Oatmeal Cookies!

1. Ask the students to research the nutrients in each ingredient and prepare a bulletin board showing the findings.

2. Demonstrate this cookie recipe to the class and emphasize accurate measuring techniques for each ingredient. At this time, show the students what will occur when liquid is added to double acting Clabber Girl Baking Powder...the baking powder that is balanced for uniform mixing bowl action and for high, yet uniform rise in the oven. This is also a good time to explain proper use of the mixer, as well as showing how to cream butter and sugar.

3. Allow the students to help check the supply of quality ingredients and reinforce the use of proper equipment and selection of tested recipes. When purchasing ingredients, point out that shelled pecans should be chosen for their golden brown color, and look for plump nutmeats fairly uniform in size. Pecan pieces would be more suitable to put in a cookie recipe, while pecan halves would be more suitable for a garnish on top of each cookie. 4. Supply each student with a copy of this page.

Spicy Oatmeal Cookies.

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
3 eggs, well beaten
3 cups flour, sifted
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
2 teaspoons Clabber Girl Baking Powder
6 tablespoons milk
2 1/2 cups oatmeal
1-1/2 cups dark raisins
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Mixing Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease the cookie sheet. Cream sugar and butter in a large bowl. Add eggs and mix. Add flour, cinnamon, allspice and Clabber Girl Baking Powder to creamed mixture and blend well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet.

Baking Directions:

Bake 15 minutes at 350° F. Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

STUDENT LEARNING:

1. Review the method of mixing drop cookies. The electric mixer may be used to mix the basic ingredients, but the heavier ingredients, such as oatmeal, raisins, and pecans, should be mixed by hand to prevent overheating of the motor and to preserve the shape of raisins and pecans.

2. Discuss the bulletin board display of ingredients and their nutrient content. Pecans are a good source of protein, iron, calcium, B vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, and fiber. Stored in airtight containers, pecans will stay fresh in the refrigerator for nine months or in the freezer for two years.

3. Student lab day - Read the recipe thoroughly and bake cookies. If class time runs short, cover cookie dough with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in refrigerator until the next class day. Cookie dough keeps well in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

4. Encourage students to bake cookies at home to treat friends, or possibly those little goblins living in their neighborhoods.