Banana Oatmeal Cookies!

My mother has been making these cookies for over 50 years and they have always been one of my favorites.  They are really easy to make and are festive for holidays or we like them for just any old time.  The mixture of banana, oatmeal and cinnamon is really delicious. 

Here is what you will need for these:

1  1/2 cups self rising flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup shortening

1 egg beaten

1 cup mashed banana (2 bananas)

1  3/4 cups quick cooking oats, uncooked (not instant)

1/2 finely chopped walnuts

 Preheat oven to 375 degrees.   In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugars, nutmeg and cinnamon.  Cut in the shortening.   Stir in the mashed banana, vanilla, oats, and walnuts.   Beat until well blended. 

Drop by teaspoonful 1  1/2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Press a maraschino cherry int the center of each cookie or you can use a pecan half.  It's best if you line the cookie sheet with parchment paper.   Bake on the center rack for 15 minutes.  Remove to cool.  Once cooled remove to a serving plate.

OPTIONAL BAKING TIP:   At Christmas we have placed a gumdrop in the center or for something very different you can use a Hershey's Kiss.