Mema’s Crispy Oatmeal Cookies – from Mrs. Mary Eugenia Taylor

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Today, Mary Cobb shares with us her Mema’s special recipe for crispy oatmeal cookies and along with it a story that is sure to touch your heart. I know you’ll enjoy it as much as I did and want to try these cookies soon! Thank you so much for sharing with us, Mary!
Gratefully, Christy

My name is Mary Helen Cobb. I am named after my grandmother, Mary Eugenia Taylor.

Mrs. Mary Eugenia Taylor "Mema"

Cooking and eating have always been a big part of family gatherings. With roots from Italy and Germany, just to name a few, that is no surprise. That being said, I never really learned to cook any of the things I loved to eat. Most of the time the kitchen was full of relatives trying to sneak a bite or telling some story.

I was more interested in what was going on around me and not what was cooking on the stove. I guess I never really thought that those times would ever come to an end or that no one else knew the recipes. Every one of them was tucked away in Mema’s head and none of them were written down.

A few years ago, my Mema suffered a massive stroke that left her unable to walk or talk. She could not look after herself and had to be put in assisted living. We thought she would never talk again. Slowly, she has regained the ability to express herself, but much of what she knew has disappeared from her memory.

After she had regained some of her strength, she asked me to write down the recipes that she could remember. One of those recipes is for her favorite cookie. It is a very thin crispy oatmeal cookie. It tastes great by itself or with a little peanut butter and a glass of milk. She trusted me too spread the recipes to the family so that they wouldn’t be lost. I am taking that a step further and sending it to all of you. It is a staple at my family Christmas gathering. It packs well and one batch seems to go on forever. I give them as goodie bags to teachers and friends. I hope that you enjoy these cookies as much as my grandmother does.

Mema’s Crispy Oatmeal Cookies – from Mrs. Mary Eugenia Taylor

It is a very thin crispy oatmeal cookie. It tastes great by itself or with a little peanut butter and a glass of milk.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: oatmeal
Servings: 4
Calories: 129kcal

Ingredients

  • MeMa's Crispy Oat Cookies
  • 1 cup oleo Another name for margarine
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 cups self rising flour
  • 1 cup crushed cornflakes
  • 1 cup oats
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup crushed pecans

Instructions

  • Cream oleo. Gradually add both sugars while beating at medium speed. Add egg, then oil, then vanilla. Mix well. Slowly add flour, oats, and cornflakes. Mix well. Add pecans and mix with spoon (batter probably too think at this point for mixer). Shape into balls and flatten with fork on ungreased baking sheet.
  • Bake @350 for 15 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: 129kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

Alright so today I’m quoting myself but since it is a quote from the book, I figure that kinda makes it okay ~winks~.

Either way, it stands true and bears repeating.

“Never forget your root system;

It’s what keeps you growing straight.”

~Christy Jordan, Southern Plate Classic Comfort Food That Makes Everyone Feel Like Family

Occasionally, I’ll send out a call for submissions to be included in the Guest Kitchens section of Southern Plate. I received an amazing amount of submissions last time I sent it and hope to share them all with you over time. If you’d like to receive the information on how to submit your heritage recipes to be included, subscribe by email to receive the next call. Thank you!

Similar Posts

19 Comments

  1. What a wonderful story! I too was a kitchen ‘listener’ and thought recipes would somehow ‘just be available’ to me when I was older and ready to cook. How wrong I was and now cannot replicate them. On top of that, I now have severe PTSD which makes my own memory poor. When I hear stories of various sorts, it helps me to recall a memory. This recipe is one that sounds like a cookie I often had at my elderly neighbors’ house. I can’t wait to try it~ Thanks for helping ME remember my neighbor and other wonderful people in my past. Both of you are stupendious for offering up this cookie recipe. Thank you~

  2. What can be more touching than this story. Especially during this time of year, when it is almost Thanksgiving. I am happy that she regained some of her memory to share this wonderful recipe with us. Thank you too Christy for knowing a great recipe when you see one. I look forward to making these cookies soon. They sound delish.

  3. Mary, both your grandmother and her cookies sound wonderful; and so do you for helping her come back to life through her recipes. I love every kind of oatmeal cookie! Christy, this is just another way that you’re so special…letting everyone share their hearts.

  4. Mmmm…sounds delish! Wish I had corn flakes….I know, I know, how can any self-respecting cook run out of Corn Flakes? Well, it happened and I haven’t been to the store for replacement purposes yet…there, I said it, I feel free now! “Hello, my name is Rhonda and I’m a grocery store procrastinator.” So anyway, I can’t wait to replace these items and make these yummy cookies, there is something about our grandmother’s recipes that just taste better! Maybe the love that went into the pot with the ingredients? Have a wonderful, blessed day everyone!

    1. Don’t worry Rhonda, you’re in great company! A lot of us are grocery store procrastinators-just don’t have the guts to admit it! LOL I’d be making these if I had corn flakes…wonder if crispy rice would work?!! I’d like to make the original version first, though! Guess I’ll put corn flakes on the shopping list!!

  5. I had forgotten about these cookies that I ate when growing up, thanks for sharing! I am going to make these today!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe or Post Rating