Crispy, chewy and the perfect cookie to stack for ice cream sandwiches! Make a batch and serve with your favorite flavor of ice cream this summer!
 
These are "Poor Man" Cookies. There aren't any eggs, milk, or nuts in them. Just plain, basic ingredients and somehow they end up being the richest, melt in your mouth, oatmeal cookie...EVER. Crispy on the outside, soft in the center, and a hint of toasted coconut flavor, although they do not contain coconut. Maybe it's all of the brown sugar that makes them so rich in flavor? I'm not sure, but they are amazing. So if you have allergies, these cookies are for you. If you don't have allergies, add a scoop of ice cream because they make a delicious sandwich cookie!
 They stack well and hold up perfectly to the weight and pressure of the ice cream in the center.
Poor Man's Cookies
Taste of Home
Taste of Home
1 cup shortening**
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup sugar
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoons salt
2 cups rolled oats
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.
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My Notes & Tips for Making Bigger Cookies for Ice Cream Sandwiches:
**No-name brands of shortening seem to work better than Crisco. Don't ask me why, they just do. I've found this to be true with some frosting recipes that I make.
A cookie scoop (medium sized) works great for getting a nice standard cookie that flattens nicely. No more than 6 to a cookie sheet as they spread. This recipe will make 24 cookies using a medium scoop which turns out to be a dozen ice cream sandwiches.
Make sure to allow cookies to set for a minute or two before removing to a rack.
When cookies have cooled, completely, add a small scoop of ice cream on top of one cookie and GENTLY press another cookie on top. Freeze 5-10 minutes and serve!
Here are 29 more cookie recipes that we've tried and reviewed!
Tracy says
Wow what an amazing simple cookie , I was so surprised how delicious they taste on their own. I played around to get the perfect size for my lil ones and they wee devoured by big and small. .I used home made salted caramel ice cream to fill and once dipped they were so delicious. Huge hit ,Everyone always wonders what flavour of homemade ice cream I will be serving for Easter, what a delicious surprise they are in for, can’t wait to showcase them .
Brandy says
I'm so glad, Tracy! These are one of my favorite cookies to make, and the ice cream makes them even better!
Nic says
Just wanted to say yum
On the second batch (needed for 2 classes) I replaced 1/2 the shorten with peanutbutter and oil with applesauce and they came out great. Thanks for a simple cookie I can use in many ways. (oh my applesauce just happened to be mango and the kids loved them)
Brandy says
Great substitutions! I will definitely have to try that. There is absolutely nothing appetizing about shortening!
Jenni Price Pancake Art says
These look sooooo delish! I totally want to try this recipe....thanks for sharing!
Angela Abbott says
Just found your blog through the Show & Tell Hop. These look absolutely delish and remind me of these things I used to get when I was a kid called UFO's (unidentified frozen object) only they were dipped in chocolate. I think I need to make these very soon. Thanks for sharing!
Angel
http://householdsavvy.com