Oatmeal cookies are a beloved American treat dating back to the early 1900s. The recipe was originally printed on oatmeal boxes and has been reformulated over time. Old-fashioned rolled oats work best for making them. While oatmeal is healthy, oatmeal cookies are high in fat and calories.
Say “oatmeal cookies” to an American and their eyes will likely light up and their mouths water. A unique and significant creation in American food history, oatmeal cookies have been enjoyed and enjoyed by children and adults alike dating back to the early 1900s and prevalent to this day.
Part crunchy cookie, part moist cake, the oatmeal cookie is made in a variety of ways: from thin and crunchy, to moist and chewy, to even sweeter or laced with salt. Oatmeal cookies are made with a variety of ingredients including raisins, cranberries, bananas, cherries, nuts, and white or dark chocolate chips.
Oatmeal cookies entered American kitchens via the Quaker Oats Company. The original oatmeal cookie recipe was mass-released in 1908, printed on oatmeal boxes. Billed as “oatcakes,” the recipe called for 3 cups of rolled oats along with butter, sugar, and flour. The oatcakes were an instant hit with the cooks in the kitchen. After the stock market crash of 1929, cookies were used as a cheap way to boost morale. The oatcake recipe has been reformulated and rebranded as “oatcake macaroons” with the batter stiffer and heavier than previous oatcake batter.
With the new recipe, the cookie drop method was born. When America went to war, Americans were subjected to food rationing, severely limiting civilian access to grain and dairy products. Oatmeal was welcomed and suggested an alternative to wheat. In 1943, the Quaker Oats company reformulated their recipe again, this time using the term “oatmeal cookies.” The revised recipe used bacon drippings or shortening instead of butter and dried fruit for minimal sugar needs.
The oatmeal cookie recipe released by Quaker Oats has been rebranded twice, re-emerging on oatmeal packages as “Famous Oatmeal Cookies” and as it’s known today as “Best Oatmeal Cookies in the World”. ‘Quaker oats”. This oatmeal cookie recipe has earned the distinction of the longest printed recipe on any Quaker Oats product.
If you’re interested in baking your own batch of oatmeal cookies, keep this in mind: Old-fashioned rolled oats work best. Oatmeal cookies were created specifically to promote these types of oats, so instant, quick-cooking, steel-cut oatmeal can make mediocre cookies.
Additionally, numerous studies have shown that consuming oatmeal can be healthy, as it lowers cholesterol and can aid those interested in weight loss. Unfortunately, oatmeal cookies are not related to these healthy lifestyle habits. Whether it’s eggs and butter, or its wartime substitute version of bacon drippings and shortenings, oatmeal cookies pack a hefty amount of fat and calories. So enjoy your oatmeal cookies, but do them in moderation.
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