1/2 pound (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
2 1/2 cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
2 cups (12 ounces) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Mini Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Heat oven to 375° F.
In large bowl, beat margarine and sugars with electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs, milk and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda and salt; mix well. Stir in oats, chocolate morsels and nuts; mix well.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 9 to 10 minutes for a chewy cookie or 12 to 13 minutes for a crisp cookie. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.
Makes 5 dozen.
Celebration Variations:
Fall Fest Pumpkin Pops: Prepare cookie dough as directed above. Drop by 1/4 measuring cupfuls about 4 inches apart onto cookie sheets. Insert wooden stick into side of dough. Using bottom of glass dipped in sugar, flatten to 2 1/2-inch diameter. Pinch off a small amount of dough to make a pumpkin stem. Bake at 350° F* 13 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Transfer to cooling racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies with orange and green frosting. Makes about 2 dozen *Note decreased oven temperature.
Class Field Trip “Candy Bars”: Prepare cookie dough as directed, substituting 1 cup chocolate-covered toffee baking pieces or candy-coated chocolate pieces for 1 cup of the semi-sweet chocolate morsels. Spread dough onto bottom of 13 x 9-inch metal baking pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown; cool completely. If desired, drizzle with melted chocolate; cut into bars. Makes 36 bars.
A GREAT Report Card Smile Cookies: Bake and cool cookies as directed. Draw smiling faces with purchased decorating icing. Makes about 5 dozen.
Half-Birthday Double Chocolate Sandwich Minis: Prepare cookie dough as directed. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool as directed. Spread purchased chocolate frosting on bottom side of one cookie; top with second cookie. Makes about 4 dozen filled cookies.
It’s Friday! Cherry-Chocolate Chippers: Prepare cookies as directed, substituting 1 cup dried cherries for 1 cup of the chocolate morsels. Makes about 5 dozen.
School Pictures P.B. & Chocolate Chippers: Prepare cookies as directed, substituting 1 cup peanut-butter flavored baking pieces for 1 cup of the chocolate morsels. Makes about 5 dozen.
Harvest Moon Double Dippers: Bake and cool cookies as directed. Melt 2 cups (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate morsels according to package directions. Dip half of cookie in melted chocolate; gently shake to remove excess. Place on waxed paper until set. Makes about 5 dozen.
Day Off From School Ice Cream Sandwiches: Bake and cool cookies as directed. Spread softened ice cream on bottom side of one cookie; top with second cookie. Roll edges in mini candy-coated chocolate pieces. Wrap airtight and freeze until firm. Makes about 30 sandwiches.
Perfect Spelling Test Caramel-Apple Cookie Sundaes: Prepare cookie as directed, substituting 1 cup chopped dried apples and 1/2 cup chopped peanuts for the chocolate morsels. To make sundae, crumble one cookie in dessert dish; top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a spoonful of caramel ice cream topping and a second crumbled cookie.
New Skates Trail Mix Bars: Prepare cookie dough as directed, substituting 1 cup trail mix (any combination of flaked coconut, chopped nuts, candy-coated chocolate pieces, raisins or diced mixed dried fruit) for 1 cup of the chocolate morsels. Spread dough onto bottom of 13 x 9-inch metal baking pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely; cut into bars. Makes 36 bars.
Nutritional Facts: 1 cookie (undecorated): Calories 100, Calories From Fat 45, Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 1.5g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 60mg, Total Carbohydrates 12g, Dietary Fiber 1g, Protein 1g, Total Sugars 7g.