DESSERT RECIPE: Oatmeal Cookies

1-cup shortening or hard margarine
1-cup granulated sugar
2-cups all-purpose flour
1-tsp salt
1-tsp baking powder
2-cups rolled oats
½-cup warm water
1-tsp vanilla
1-tsp baking soda

Beat shortening or margarine until soft and creamy
Add sugar and beat until somewhat fluffy
In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and oats
Stir the vanilla and soda into the warm water
Gradually add the oat mixture and liquid alternately to the shortening
Use your hands if necessary to get it mixed well
If dough is too soft to roll, chill for a little while
Roll out quite thin (1/8”) and cut cookies into 2” rounds
Save scraps and re-roll to use all the dough
Bake on greased cookie sheets in a 375* preheated oven until slightly brown
Lift from cookie sheets and let cool on paper towels

Makes about 5 dozen

Optional Date Filling

2-cups chopped, pitted dates
1/3-cup brown sugar
1 ¼-cup water
1-tbsp all-purpose flour
1-tsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and boil, stirring until thickened, but not stiff
Cool
Spread on oatmeal cookies and top with another cookie

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