These are a family favorite. I remember making a big batch of these before every trip to see my dad. He loved these cookies.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup Raisins

Directions:

1. Combine the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
2. Mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the butter, shortening, and sugars with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
4. Blend in the vanilla.
5. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the dry mixture, about half at a time.
6. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts. Stir until evenly mixed.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter two large, shiny baking sheets or line them with parchment paper.
8. Using an small ice cream scoop or a spoon place dough in balls onto baking sheets leaving about 2½ inches in between.
9. Bake one sheet at a time on the center oven rack for 13 to 14 minutes, turning the baking
   sheet 180 degrees midway through the baking time.
10. When done, the cookies will have browned very lightly and still look moist beneath the
    surface. Do not over bake.
11. Cool for 2 to 3 minutes on the baking sheet.
12. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. If you’re using only one baking
    sheet, let it cool between batches. Makes about 24 cookies.

VARIATIONS

• Coconut Cowboy Cookies
  • Add 1 cup of flaked sweetened coconut to the dough along with the chocolate chips.
• Bandanna Cowboy Cookies
  • Omit the chocolate chips and substitute 1 cup of white chocolate chips and 1 cup of Craisins. (The white and red suggest a bandanna.)
• Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies
  • Omit the chocolate chips and substitute 2 cups of peanut butter chips. Or use 1 cup each of peanut butter chips and chocolate chips.