President Clinton's Oatmeal Cookies

I came across this recipe in my of my cook books and was intrigued as to why plain old oatmeal cookies would be called "President Clinton's Oatmeal Cookies".  Was there any connection to Bill Clinton, the former USA President.  As I read the introduction writen by Sherry Yard, it sure did.  In fact she made these cookies for him when he was a regular gues at Spago. 

The recipe is pretty simple but it does use two types of sugar, white and brown.  I think the brown sugar gave it a more flavoursome taste.  I particular like my oatmeal cookies to be chewy in the center which meant a shorter baking time.  If however you are the type that likes yours to be crispy, just bake it a bit longer.



President Clinton's Oatmeal Cookies
Recipe Adapted from "Desserts by the Yard" by Sherry Yard

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 3/4 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup white sugar (sugars have been reduced)
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp nutmeg powder
1/2 tsp all spice
3/4 tsp cinnamon powder
2 eggs, at room temperature
3 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups golden raisin

Method:

1) Sift flour, baking soda, spices and salt and set aside.

2) Cream butter and sugar until soft and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and beat until incorporated.

3) Add in the flour, 1/3 at a time and mix until well combined.  Then all in the oats and raisins and fold into the cookie mixture.

4) Take 1 heap Tablespoon size of cookie dough and roll into a ball.  Flatten it slighly with the heel of your palm.  Place onto a lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart.  The cookie will spread once it is in the oven.

5) Place baking sheet into a pre-heated oven of 180C (170C force-fan) and bake for about 12 mins.  Cool completely before storing into tins.