OATMEAL WEEK: QUAKER'S BEST OATMEAL COOKIES

Oatmeal is one of those magical ingredients that's as healthy as it is versatile. Today's oatmeal cookie recipe comes from Oatmeal expert Quaker.

INGREDIENTS

1-1/4 cups (2-1/2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2  cups all-purpose flour
1  teaspoon baking soda
1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2  teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4  teaspoon ground nutmeg
3  cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl, beat margarine and sugars until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg; mix well. Add oats; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 8 to 9 minutes for a chewy cookie or 10 to 11 minutes for a crisp cookie. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

Yield: About three dozen.