Here we go again life is funny especially when talking to David and Charlie. Especially about Holidays like today which is April 30 National Oatmeal Cookie Day #NationalOatmealCookieDay & National Raisin Day #NationalRaisinDay. David said the Holidays would be a lot more fun to celebrate National Oatmeal Cooke Day & National Raisin Day by celebrating them both and adding them to the Oatmeal Cookies. What do you think?
National Oatmeal Cookie Day on April 30th each year recognizes a delicious and nutritious cookie. I would like to share a unusual fun fact with you. National Oatmeal Cookie Day is also often recognized on March 18th in conjunction with National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day.
Oatmeal Cookies have been around since the 1800s. Oatmeal Cookies quickly became popular, and by early the 1900s, a recipe for the delicious treats appeared on containers of Quaker Oats. Did you know Oatmeal Cookies are also considered health food because they are an excellent source of iron and fiber. Just another reason to have an Oatmeal Cookie or two today! Below is other health benefits you will find from the Oatmeal in the Cookies including:
- Oatmeal may lower cholesterol.
- Oatmeal reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Oatmeal may reduce your risk of cancer.
Did you know according to the American Cancer Society, eating a diet high in fiber may help reduce your risk for cancer? - The grain in Oatmeal is low in fat.
- Oatmeal is low in calories.
- Adding Oatmeal to your diet as a good source of iron and fiber.
Oatmeal Cookies Recipe:
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Additional Time: 1 hour 5 mins Total Time: 1 hour 30 mins Servings: 24 Yield: 24 Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick cooking oats
- nonstick cooking spray with flour
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons white sugar, or as needed
Directions
- Whisk flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl until well combined.
- Beat butter, 1 cup white sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy, at least 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until well combined. Add oats and mix until thoroughly incorporated. Cover the bowl and chill dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray two cookie sheets with floured cooking spray. Place water in a small bowl and 2 tablespoons sugar in another small bowl.
- Roll chilled dough into walnut-sized balls, and place 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Dip a large fork in water, then in sugar, and use to flatten each cookie, rewetting and resugaring as necessary.
- Bake in the preheated oven until light golden brown around the edges and centers are nearly set, 8 to 10 minutes, switching racks halfway through. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
National Raisin Day #NationalRaisinDay
When it comes to Raisins, there are generally two groups of people: those that love Raisins and those that believe Raisins ruin a perfectly good dish. Whether you find Raisins irresistible, or believe Raisins should have stayed out in the Sun where people found them, it’s hard to deny the impact Raisins have had on history, pop culture, and cuisine.
Here is a fun fact for you to share with your friends and family Raisins have shown up throughout history and literature as a healthy, transportable snack for everyone from the Egyptians to Christopher Columbus to George Washington. Do you remember the commercial featuring The California Rasins? My mom loved them. How about you? Do you remember those little red Raisin boxes which was a part of our childhood including being give a box of Raisins at lunch during school?
NATIONAL RAISIN DAY ACTIVITIES
- To celebrate National Raisin Day why not for breakfast, prepare Cinnamon Rolls with Raisins? For lunch, prepare Waldorf Salad and swap out Grapes for a few Raisins. Then top dinner off with Bread Pudding?
- Make your own Raisins because all you need is Grapes from the local grocer and Sunny, dry weather. Purchase red or green Grapes and remove the large stems from the fruit. Next, place the Grapes on a rack and leave them out in the Sun for a few days. Place the shriveled Grapes in an airtight container and you have a snack.
- Watch “Meet the Raisins” from 1998 a half-hour special which received a Primetime Emmy Award nod for Outstanding Animated Program. Afterward, why not make it a full on Rais-a-Thon following it up with the sequel — “Raisins: Sold Out!” Don’t forget the Raisinets!
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL RAISIN DAY
- Raisins can be up to 72% Sugar by weight, making them a sweet and satisfying snack. Unlike Jellybeans, Raisins are have e nutritional value. Rasins cause cancer-fighting antioxidants, and Raisins provide an excellent source of fiber, and contain no cholesterol.
- Raisins and Oatmeal Cookies are one of the culinary world’s great pairings, but it’s just one of many. Another great pairing is Cereal, of course as long as it’s not too sweetened already. Other fan favorites include Rugelach, Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Rum Raisin Ice Cream or Trail Mix.
- Over half of the world’s Raisins come from California although Napa is known worldwide for its wine-producing Grapes, the Golden State’s Raisin capital is actually the City of Selma just Southeast of Fresno. This area produces over 350,000 tons of Raisins annually.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
