Iced Oatmeal Cookies

After Thanksgiving Break, I was already wishing for Winter Break and snow days. It's certainly been cold enough for snow but no sign of it here in Southwest Virginia. This kind of weather calls for hot chocolate and marshmallows and if you like hot chocolate, go to Sam's Club and buy Land O' Lakes 7-box pack. It's 7 different flavors and they've got interesting flavors - raspberry chocolate, arctic white, s'mores, and even oatmeal cookie. I haven't baked much lately but I still wanted to participate in this year's Cookie Exchange so the hot chocolate inspired me to make Iced Oatmeal Cookies. This recipe reminded me of the oatmeal cookie hot chocolate, leaving me with a warm feeling, and of snow with the white icing. All things winter! I hope my three matches enjoyed these cookies as I did (and that they arrived safely and in decent shape!)



I received my three boxes of cookies:



The Red Velvet Shortbread Cookies were the first I received and they were so pretty and arrived in perfect shape that I didn't want to eat it! But of course, I dove in right away. They are soft and delicious and I loved the pistachios. I rarely see them or use them in recipes that it was nice to see them! Thanks Jenny! I was so happy that Kaitlin even sent along a recipe of her Hot Cocoa Cookies! Thanks!



I'm a little biased though - lemon is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE when it comes to desserts so I have been eating the Lemon Cookies non-stop. OMG LEMON. I just can't even describe it. I don't know why I love it so much but it's has always been my number one. The funny thing is I've never tried to make lemon anything - not even lemon bars when that's all I grab when it's available somewhere else! Thanks Morgan! This year's exchange was amazing and I had so much fun making/packaging the cookies and receiving them as well.



Iced Oatmeal Cookies
From Bake-Aholic

1 cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 cups old fashioned oats

3 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk

In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
In a bowl, combine shortening, sugars, and eggs. Add vanilla. Add flour mixture. Mix in oatmeal. Let mixture sit for five minutes and then mix again.

Bake at 350F on lined baking sheets for 10 to 12 minutes. The edges will be golden brown but the middles will look underdone. Cool on pan on wire rack for five minutes then remove from pan and cool completely on wire racks. For softer, chewier cookies, bake 10 minutes and for crispier cookies, bake 12 minutes. These cookies spread so leave at least 2 inches between each.

Once the cookies are completely cool, mix the powdered sugar and milk in a bowl until icing consistency. Add more milk teaspoon at a time to bring to desired consistency or more powdered sugar. Spread over each cookie and let set completely. The glaze should completely harden when ready.

Makes 3 dozen.