NATIONAL OATMEAL COOKIE DAY
Celebrated annually on March 18th, it is National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day. This day is sometimes also known as National Oatmeal Cookie Day and is criss-cross celebrated on April 30th. To our knowledge, the difference between the two is that lacy oatmeal cookies are wafer-thin and typically accompany a scoop of ice cream or sorbet.
It wasn’t until the early 1900′s that oatmeal became a major ingredient in the American diet. Originating in England, oatmeal cookies have been around since the 1800′s. It is believed that they were created after the oatcake. Soldiers used to carry oatcakes with them for a quick boost of energy during battle. Most research has found that the first recorded oatmeal raisin cookie recipe was written by Fannie Merritt Farmer in 1896. Considered as a “health food,” the cookies quickly became popular, and by early 1900′s a recipe for the delicious treats appeared on containers of Quaker Oats.
** Oatmeal cookies are an excellent source of iron and fiber **
There are many different recipes for the lacy oatmeal cookies. They can be made with a variety of oats, such as old fashioned oats, quick cooking oats, oat bran or oat flour. For a healthier cookie, there is the option to add finely chopped or ground fruits (such as raisins) or nuts and use sugar substitute. Lacy oatmeal cookies are often times decorated with icing drizzled on top of the cookie.