From Carol’s childhood, we have a hard-to-read handwritten recipe for gum drop cookies.  We made a batch today following the original instructions.  One of these days, we will update them to weigh the flour, etc., but not today (Christmas Eve)! A batch makes 5-6 dozen cookies.

1 cup Crisco (vegetable shortening)

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 cup sweetened coconut

1 cup gum drops cut into small pieces (or omit and substitute 2 cups chocolate chips)

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

2 cups rolled oats

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In the bowl of a stand mixer cream together the Crisco and sugars.

Add to the bowl the vanilla, eggs, coconut, and gum drops and mix them in.

In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.  Add them and the rolled oats to the bowl with the other ingredients.  Mix until barely combined.

 Line a cookie sheet with baking parchment and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.