Recipe: Cowboy Cookies (using oats, raisins or dried fruit, and chocolate chips)

COWBOY COOKIES

Flavorless vegetable oil spray
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon hot water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, uncooked
1 cup raisins or other dried fruit
1 (12 ounce) package chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 2 baking sheets with the vegetable oil spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes, until light and fluffy. Stop the mixer to scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula once during this time. Add the eggs one at a time and beat well after each addition. Beat in the water and vanilla.

With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture, oats, raisins and chocolate chips and mix well. Drop by tablespoonfuls about an inch apart onto the baking sheets.

Bake for about 10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for a few minutes before lifting them off with a metal spatula and cooling completely on wire racks. They keep in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days.

Makes 6 dozen cookies
Source: The Family Kitchen by Debra Ponzek