I tried to follow my sister’s recipe for oatmeal cookies, but they never came out quite right.

One day she was asking my opinion on stand mixers, and mentioned offhandedly that she’s never had one, so always melts her butter when making cookies. Mystery solved.

I was aiming for the chewy, flat cookie I enjoyed so much when she baked, but if you’d like a more cakey cookie, cream your butter rather than melting.

Oatmeal Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 cup butter, melted

1 cup sugar

1 cup light brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups oats

Chocolate chips, if you must, but please, no raisins if you’re making them for me.

Combine butter and sugars.

Add eggs and vanilla.

Add dry ingredients.

Spoon onto cookie sheets. These cookies will spread, so err on the small side.

Bake for 6-9 minutes.