Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are gooey oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with a "secret ingredient". These oatmeal cookies are a slight variation from the traditional recipe: they contain corn flakes (shhh)! This changes the the texture, so these cookies are gooey with a slight crisp. Make them for family and friends, and we promise you they will be commenting on how your oatmeal cookies are sooo delicious, yet they can't quite put their finger on why. 

Ingredients:

• 1 package of vegetable shortening (preferably butter flavored)
• 5 tablespoons of water
• 1 cup of packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups of flour
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract (maple extract optional)
• 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups of oats
• 1 cup of sweetened corn flakes (we recommend Special K Vanilla Almond)
• See bottom of page for other optional ingredients

Weapons of Choice:

• 1 large mixing bowl
• 1 large plate
• Electric mixer
• Mixing spoon or whisk
• 4-cup measuring cup
• 1 zip lock bag
• Rolling pin or large mug
• 1 Teaspoon or table spoon (for measuring dough/cookie size)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 ºF. 

Combine vegetable shortening, 2 tablespoons of water, brown sugar, and white sugar in your large mixing bowl. Mix well, until creamy.  

Next, add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract and two large eggs. Beat well. 

In your measuring cup, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Mix well. Gradually add flour mixture to the large bowl, mixing well as you add flour mixture. 

Measure 1 cup of cereal and add to the zip lock bag. Using a rolling pin (or mug) crush the cereal until the crushed pieces are approximately the same size as the oats. 

Incorporate oats and crushed cereal into dough mixture, and using your large spoon or whisk, mix well. If mixture seems too stiff, you may add a few more tablespoons of water. 

Next, add 1/2 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Mix well. 

Using a teaspoon (or tablespoon, depending on how large you like your cookies) drop rounded balls of dough onto a greased cookie sheet, or non-greased cooking stone:

Bake at 350  ºF.  for 15-20 minutes, or until edges are just slightly browned. 

Let cool for about 10 minutes, then transfer to large plate. 

*Important: make sure all ingredients are added gradually--mixing well--as indicated above. This ensures your cookies will turn out moist and gooey. 

**Optional ingredients: 

• Raisins
• Walnuts 
• Almond extract
• Coconut