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Poor Man's Cookies

Poor Man's Cookies

Old-fashioned egg-free oatmeal cookies with chewy centers and crisp edges. Made with no butter or milk for a cheap, easy treat full of caramel flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 130
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup shortening
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup hot water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer or wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Small bowl
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper or grease
  • Cookie scoop or spoon
  • Wire rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer or wooden spoon until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
  3. Stir in hot water and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Add dry ingredients to shortening mixture. Mix on low speed or by hand just until combined. Fold in oats with a spoon until evenly distributed. Dough will be thick.
  6. Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly with fingers. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are golden brown and centers look set. Cookies will firm up as they cool.
  7. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Use old-fashioned oats for best chew. Quick oats make them softer.
  • Shortening gives perfect texture. Butter-flavored works for more flavor.
  • Add-ins like raisins or chocolate chips go in with oats.
  • Store in airtight container up to 1 week.
  • Freeze dough balls for quick baking later.