I stayed in the “Cooky Primer” this time with “Date-Oatmeal Cookies” on p. 25. These were a “molded” cookie — which means they were rolled out and pressed down — with bits of dates and nuts.

Another basic recipe, but with a few more ingredients than previous creations — brown sugar, butter, flour, salt, baking soda, egg, vanilla, milk, dates and nuts. Like most recipes, cream the sugar and butter first. Then add the eggs, then the dry ingredients alternating with the milk. Finally stir in the nuts and dates. These are then refrigerated — no specific time for that, so I had them in for about an hour.

The cookies are formed by making balls and placing them relatively far apart on the cookie sheet. Then press the cookies with the bottom of a glass dipped in flour down to about a quarter-inch thickness.

I may have over-floured the glass, but after the first cookie stuck to the glass, I wasn’t taking chances!

Finally they’re baked and … eaten!

These turned out soft and lightly sweet. I liked the crunch from the bits of nuts and the hints of sweet from the chopped dates. Plus they had a bit of heartiness from the oatmeal. I was often satisfied with one cookie … instead of my usual desire for two or three.

Bottom line: These were soft, hearty cookies with yummy bits of nuts and dates scattered throughout. They were easy to make, even with the “molding” step of rolling and pressing. I would definitely make them again.