submitted by Toni Trucks
Surprisingly enough, quarantine has its perks.

I’m talking about all of the new and clever ways we have found to connect to our friends and loved ones. Whether its via ZOOM, snail mail, paper airplanes, yelling across streets or playing through windows. All these ways we create and contort to REACH each other is a refreshing aspect to this awkward distance. This got me thinking about one of my favorite friends in Atlanta and how her family cookie recipe always brings us back together. When she shared the prescription for this long loved confection, it was engraved with the words “This is the glue that has held my family together for generations”.
I think we all could use a little glue as we continue to try and stick together. Enjoy baking and EATING my go to cookie of choice… “Harris Cookies”.
Harris Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup shortening
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ cup sifted all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp hot water
3 cup oatmeal
1 pkg chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup nuts (we always use pecans)
Directions:
Cream the shortening and sugars together. Slowly work in eggs, one at a time. Add salt and baking soda to flour and sift together. Add sifted flour mix to shortening mix. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Make sure they don't overcook.
Insider tip:
I sprinkle with a little extra salt although they don't need a thing! Great dough for freezing.