Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Date Cookies

From Helen Neil, Grandview, Manitoba

These are very simple oatmeal cookies that bake up crisp and not overly sweet. They are good eaten plain or sandwiched with jam or date filling. For a more buttery flavor, you can substitute butter for part of the lard.

The original recipe was made with old-fashioned oatmeal, but quick-cooking rolled oats work well too.

Cookie Ingredients

Makes 60 ish thinly rolled cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup lard or butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup milk

Date Filling

1/2 lb. Dates

2/3 water

1tsp vanilla.

Instructions: Cook on stove till soft.

Instructions

Preheat oven to about 350°F (175°C).
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and salt.
Cut or rub in the lard or butter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
In a small cup, dissolve the baking soda in the milk.
Stir the milk mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing with a fork until a dough forms.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
Roll out to about ⅛ inch (3 mm) thick.
Cut into shapes using a cookie cutter or glass.
Place cookies on a baking sheet.
Bake about 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and crisp.
Cool on a rack.

Optional Traditional Serving

These cookies were often sandwiched with jam or date filling, making a simple old-fashioned cookie sandwich.