Frequently Asked Questions
What are Hearty Amish Oatmeal Delight Cookies?
They are a rustic, traditional Amish-style cookie filled with oats, raisins, salted peanuts, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
How many cookies does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 54 cookies, making it ideal for large gatherings or batches.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC) for optimal baking results.
How long do the Hearty Amish Oatmeal Delight Cookies need to bake?
The cookies should bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until they turn a lovely golden brown.
Should I use butter to grease the cookie sheets?
No, the recipe suggests using shortening to grease the sheets because butter or margarine can cause the cookies to spread too much.
How should the raisins and peanuts be prepared?
The raisins and salted peanuts should be ground together using a food grinder with a medium blade before being added to the dough.
What type of oats are best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of quick-cooking oats to ensure the proper texture.
How do I incorporate the lard or shortening into the flour?
Use a pastry blender to cut the lard or shortening into the sifted flour mixture until it resembles fine crumbs.
How is the baking soda added to the mixture?
The baking soda should be dissolved in 1 cup of buttermilk before being mixed with the molasses and eggs.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
A total of 4 eggs are needed: 3 for the dough mixture and 1 for the egg wash finish.
What is the purpose of the fourth egg?
The remaining egg is beaten and brushed over the tops of the shaped cookies before baking to give them a professional finish.
How do I shape the cookies on the baking sheet?
Drop heaping teaspoonfuls of dough onto the sheet and flatten them into 2.5-inch rounds using the bottom of a floured drinking glass.
How far apart should the cookie dough mounds be placed?
Keep the mounds about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading during the baking process.
What are the primary spices used in these cookies?
The cookies are flavored with 1 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
What can I use to flatten the cookies without the dough sticking?
Dip the bottom of a drinking glass in flour before pressing down on each mound of dough.
What is the calorie count per cookie?
Each cookie contains approximately 59 calories.
How much fat is in one Amish Oatmeal Delight Cookie?
There is approximately 2.5 grams of fat per cookie.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
Each cookie has approximately 9 grams of carbohydrates.
Do these cookies contain fiber?
Yes, each cookie provides about 0.7 grams of dietary fiber.
What is the sugar content per cookie?
There are 4.2 grams of sugar in each cookie.
What ingredients should be sifted together?
You should sift the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together.
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
The recipe specifically calls for buttermilk to interact with the baking soda for the correct rise and flavor.
How much molasses is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of molasses.
What kind of flour is used?
The recipe uses 6 cups of all-purpose flour.
Should the peanuts be salted or unsalted?
The recipe specifies using 1 cup of salted peanuts for the best flavor balance.
How should the cookies be cooled?
Once removed from the oven, take them off the baking sheets immediately and let them cool on wire racks.
Can I use a wooden spoon to mix the dough?
Yes, a wooden spoon is recommended for stirring the wet and dry ingredients together until evenly combined.
What is the protein content per cookie?
Each cookie contains about 0.8 grams of protein.
How much sugar is in the entire dough batch?
The recipe uses 3 cups of sugar in the main dough mixture.
Can I use a rotary beater for the whole recipe?
A rotary beater is used to blend the eggs, molasses, and buttermilk, but the final dough should be mixed by hand or with a spoon.