Hearty old-fashioned drop cookies have been popular throughout the years. My mother always called them “Old Man Cookies” because wherever there were a bunch of different fancy cookies served along with the hearty cookies, the old men always chose the hearty ones. I suppose the term isn’t politically correct these days, but the following Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Old Man Cookies are popular with all of the men I know, and they are perfect for filling the cookie jar. To be honest, these cookies are popular with women, too, as well as children.

These cookies are both chewy and crunchy. They keep well for several weeks in an airtight container; they also freeze well. You can vary them by substituting dried cranberries for the raisins, or leaving out the nutmeg and cinnamon and adding chocolate chips instead of or along with the raisins. If you like pecans or almonds better than the walnuts, you can use them as well. Make sure you toast the walnuts (350º for 10 minutes) before chopping them to bring out their flavor.

4 dozen cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 cups flour
2 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 1/2 cups raisins
3 cups toasted chopped nuts

1. Preheat oven to 400º. Cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar; add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
2. Place the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour in a fine strainer set over the butter/sugar mixture, and shake through.
3. Mix; stir in the oatmeal and fold in the raisins, and nuts.
4. Scoop tablespoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets; press to flatten slightly.
5. Bake for about 8 minutes or until the edges just start to brown. Do not overbake.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool thoroughly. Store in an airtight container.

Amount Per Cookie
Calories 116 Calories from Fat 40
Percent Total Calories From:
Fat 34% Protein 6% Carb. 60%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 4 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 19 mg
Sodium 104 mg
Total Carbohydrate 17 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 4 g
Protein 2 g

Vitamin A 3% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% Iron 3%