Holiday Oatmeal Cookies

Our fourth installment of 12 Days of Christmas Cookies comes from Callie of Call Me Cal. I randomly stumbled upon Cal's blog while googling Warby Parker home try-ons (she did an adorable video try-on, by the way) and I've been following along ever since. Cal writes all about her adventures across the US and has a great series of Travelogues. She also has a fun What's Happening LA column and tons of great gift guides/wish lists.

Plus, Cal knows good food. She shares about all the restaurants she visits while traveling and I mentally make note to visit them myself. You know... if I ever find myself in someplace like Nova Scotia. So of course, I knew her cookie selection would not disappoint: warm, cinnamony, old fashion oatmeal cookies. The perfect thing to whip up on a cold December afternoon and dunk in your favorite mug of tea. Yes please!

I am so excited to be posting on Gathered Heart about a topic near and dear to my heart: Sweets! And not just any ole sweets, but my Mom's signature holiday oatmeal cookies. The second I finish Thanksgiving dinner, I instantly start looking forward to my Mom's annual cookie delivery. She has been sending me these cookies for years and I still get excited every time this scrumptious delivery arrives because it signals the start of my favorite time of year. My first instinct is always to squirrel these delicious deliverables away from my husband so I don't have to share, but in the end I always allow others to partake in the yuletide cookie joy.

So without further ado, here is the recipe for my Mom's scrumptious seasonal sweets (adapted from the Vanishing Oatmeal Cookie recipe.)

Holiday Oatmeal Cookies

• 1/2 cup softened butter 
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar 
• 1/4 cup walnuts (or pecans if you prefer) 
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
• 3/4 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked Old-Fashioned Quaker oats 
• 1/2 cup golden raisins 
• 1 tsp orange rind zest (make sure to use a fine grater as to not go too deep into the rind) 

Directions (yields around 24 cookies) Heat oven to 350°F. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until mixed in. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Stir in oats, raisins and orange zest; mix well.

Place rounded tablespoonfuls of oat mix onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy! Happy cooking!

Thanks for sharing this tasty treat, Callie. I bet they smell amazing while baking!
See more 12 Days of Christmas Cookies.