Operation Desert Fox Cookies

When my husband and I were first married he served in the Air Force.  And he was deployed around the world A LOT.  As in 65% of the year A LOT.  So I stayed up all night, watched CNN to try and see what was going on in his world and baked goodies for him all day.  I am proud to say I am a Care Package Expert.  Little Devil and I mailed Daddy a package every other day.  In between we mailed him a letter or post card.  The idea was he would get some kind of mail every day.  It didn't always work out that way.  Sometimes he would get two weeks worth of mail at once.  Sometime he would never get it at all.   But the packages that he did get, he truly treasured.  We sent him all sorts of things.  From baked goodies to love letters.  I named these cookies Operation Southern Watch/Operation Desert Fox Cookies after the mission he was serving on.  Talk about a cookie that travels well!  They're almost like a banana bread cookie, and the addition of coconut and raisins keeps them super moist all the way around the world.  Perfect for your soldier, camper, or college student.  My best friend's little brother is currently serving in Afghanistan.  When her 10-year old daughter and I decided to make Uncle Matthew some cookies, I had just the recipe.  They should withstand the APO/FPO mail system and be moist and tasty when Uncle Matthew receives them. 

Operation Desert Fox Cookies

The Line-Up
(Don't be scared, it's mostly fillings like
nuts and raisins)

Cream together shortening and brown sugar.

Add egg.

Add dry ingredients that have been
sifted together.

Add mashed bananas.

Stir in coconut.

Add oats.

Don't forget raisins and chocolate chips.

Last but not least, the pecans.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a
lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake until light golden brown,
about 12 minutes.

Pack in an air-tight bag
and cushion with bubble wrap.

God Bless Our Troops
for
keeping us safe.

Operation Desert Fox Cookies

3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup raisins (dredge in 1 tablespoon flour)
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2-3 total)
1 3/4 cup quick cooking oats

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Set aside.  In the bowl of an electric mixer beat together shortening and brown sugar.  Add egg and continue beating until well blended and creamy.  Add flour mixture to shortening mixture, and mix until well blended.  Blend in bananas.  Mix in oats.  Stir in coconut, chocolate chips, raisins and pecans.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased baking sheets and bake for approximately 12 minutes until a light golden brown.  Cool completely on wire racks.  This makes about 6 dozen cookies, perfect for shipping to our troops. 

Prep Time:  Approximately 20 minutes     Cook Time:  Approximately 12 minutes