Poor Man's Cookies Recipe

Poor Man's Cookies Recipe Poor Man's Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Rating 4

In the 1930s, producers of a popular radio program called Jake and Lena invited listeners to write in for this recipe. My mother changed the name from Jake and Lena Cookies to Poor Man's Cookies because they contained no eggs, milk or nuts. Despite the name, the cookies are rich in taste!

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Poor Man's Cookies Recipe
  • Prep: 20 min. Bake: 10 min./batch
  • Yield: 36 Servings
20 10 30

Ingredients

  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 2 cups rolled oats

Directions

  • In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in water and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in oats.
  • Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to stand 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool. Yield: 3 dozen.

Nutritional Facts 1 cookie equals 112 calories, 6 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 54 mg sodium, 14 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein.

Originally published as Poor Man's Cookies in Reminisce May/June 1992, p35

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Reviews for Poor Man's Cookies

Poor Man's Cookies Recipe

Poor Man's Cookies

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(1-4) of 4 reviews

Reviewed on Feb. 11, 2013 by STollefson

Same photo as in the TasteofHome's Low-fat Country Cooking book...but shortening amount is different! Original recipe has 1/2 the fat...it calls for 1/2 cup of BUTTER, melted & cooled. Everything else is identical. I'd give that original recipe 5 stars...everyone always loves those cookies & asks for the recipe (plus they'd be 1/2 the fat!!!)

Perhaps an error was made on this website, or perhaps it was "lightened up" for the low-fat cookbook? The extra shortening may be the reason one of the bakers was having issues with the cookies spreading too much.

Reviewed on Oct. 12, 2011 by annsway1

To Princess 1982; you are suppose to use 'rolled oats' as stated. That may be your problem. I had no trouble with them and the taste was excellent.

Reviewed on Dec. 08, 2010 by CookingHubby

Taste good and easy to make with simple food staples!

Reviewed on May. 07, 2009 by princess1982

I've made these cookies three times, and while I love the taste, they do not look at all like the picture! Mine flatten out & are thin as paper! What am I doing wrong? I've bought new baking soda, mixed them with a spoon instead of beaters, & tried not spraying the pans. Any help would be appreciated. I love the taste, but the appearance is also important to me. Thanks

 
 
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