I work with our local Boy Scout Troop and I like to take treats to their Court of Honor. But it can't be just any old thing, it has to have meaning. Food is a powerful learning tool. So I needed a cookie that would have something to do with a Scouting activity and I thought about hiking. Every time I go hiking I take trail mix of some kind so I decided to add a little flour, sugar and eggs to it and here is the resultant cookie.
6 eggs
1/2 cup butter, room temp
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups white sugar
2 cups brown sugar, packed
4 teaspoons vanilla
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons soda
4 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup coconut (if coconut is dry add up to 1/4 cup water)
2 cups cranberries
2 cups pecans, chunked
1 package white chocolate chips
1 cup dried pineapple, chunked (opt.)
1/2 dried apricots, chunked (opt.)
Cream eggs, sugars, butter and shortening. Add 1 cup flour, vanilla, baking powder, salt and soda. Mix well. Add remaining flour and oatmeal. Mix well. Add coconut, Mix. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Drop by spoonfull (or ice cream scoop) onto cookie sheet. These cookies spread so I only put 8 on a tray instead of 12 and I did use parchment paper for easier removal. Bake @ 350ºF for 11 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden (centers will still be blond). Remove from oven and allow to finish cooking on pan for at least 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks. Yield 5 dozen large cookies.
