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Poor Man’s Cookies

Name: Poor Man's Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 3 dozen.
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

9 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 10 min./batch

Makes

3 dozen

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023

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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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.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 112 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 54mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.

Poor Man’s Cookies

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts

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