Ginger Oatmeal Rum Raisin Cookies

We had our HuLuBu (Humanities Lunch Bunch) holiday party today. Everyone brought food and an ornament for our gift exchange. I tried to find the gaudiest, tackiest ornament I could. Of course, I had quite a selection to choose from at Target. At first, I was going to get this huge lime green ball with hot pink glitter. I finally chose an owl made from nuts. (Ironically, someone else chose that same one to give away!) But, since there were so many tacky ornaments to choose from, I ended up buying one for each person...specifically chosen to match their personality.

The Humanities Division Chairman:
Our fearless leader & Christmas grinch
(not really, he did the decorations for our party)

John got the red, glittery "Rock Star" iphone...because he's addicted to his new phone, and he's a rock star (see above photo). Jeni got the "I love cooking" oven mitt...because she actually hates to cook. Joni got the Christmas cat...since she's a cat owner, and we all know that cat owners love kitty knick-knacks (NOT!). Maggie got the sparkly chalkboard...so she can pretend she's a real teacher (I kid!). Neely got the martini...since she can't drink because she's pregnant, at least she can look at a drink. Jesse got a Big Ben replica...since he spent last year teaching in England, and since I couldn't find a rebel flag (He's a history teacher who has all kinds of flags hanging in his room; he was told to take down the Confederate flag). And the Pièce de résistance: Derek got Mary & baby Jesus completely covered in GOLD GLITTER...Disco Jesus!

For my pot luck dish, I made (or rather Jerad made for me) a fancy version of standard oatmeal raisin cookies.

Ginger Oatmeal Rum Raisin Cookies

Makes 2 dozen

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup golden raisins, soaked in a few tablespoons of spiced rum
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons finely chopped candied ginger

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  
• In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, raisins (and any rum left in the bowl), baking soda, and salt; set aside.
  
• Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy, scraping down bowl as necessary. Add egg and vanilla; beat until combined.
  
• Gradually add oat mixture; beat just until combined.
  
• Fold in the candied ginger.
• Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto baking sheets. Bake until cookies are golden brown but still soft, about 12 to 16 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.
• Cool 5 minutes on the sheets, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Here are some of my other favorite holiday cookies:

Buttery Jam Cookies
Chocolate Nut Drops
Lavender Faerie Cookies
Noel Nut Balls
Pistachio Cranberry Biscotti
World Peace Cookies