A measure of cloves rounds out the sweetness of cinnamon and dark brown sugar to create an intriguing flavor in Aunt Betty’s Spicy Oatmeal Cookies. The spices lay down a lingering impression on the tongue to sweeten the bitter notes in the coffee Aunt Betty loved to share. They also taste great with cold milk in a wide glass for dipping.

Aunt Betty's Spicy Oatmeal Cookies stacked on a white plate.

Signs of Autumn

On a brilliant mid-autumn afternoon I feel a new energy begin to gather. Blue skies urge me to leave my desk behind, to venture out and feel the pulse of the season. The cool wind reminds me to grab a jacket as it scatters brilliant leaves of gold and russet across my path.

As the signs of autumn gather I often think of Aunt Betty. Her birthday was in October and her nature was as engaging as the season. In her prime she dressed smartly, exercised a sharp wit and always offered a warm smile. Her mind was curious and energetic. Her heart was active and playful.

Aunt Betty liked to travel, played the piano and was an avid reader. She kept up on current events and was eager to discuss a range of topics from history to lawn mower maintenance. She was good company and always happy to lend a helping hand, or ride along on a new adventure.

Cooking, however, wasn’t high on her list of priorities. She would rather share a cup of coffee and a good conversation than share recipes. She left that to Aunt Hen, her sister and next door neighbor for much of her life. Aunt Hen was known as the cook in the family. My immediate family, along with Aunt Betty, ate most meal’s around Aunt Hen’s table for many years.

Of course we suspected that Aunt Betty was competent in the kitchen, as she was in most areas. After all, she had taken care of herself for years when she lived in the city. Later, when my brother or I stopped by her house for frequent visits she always had something good for us to snack on. Only occasionally, however, did she share her interest in cooking with the family.

Gathering Recipe Cards

When I decided to get married my college roommate and maid-of-honor hosted a wedding shower. She and her mother asked all the guests to write a favorite recipe on a card and bring it with them. At the party she planned to put them all together in an album for my future use.

There were some wonderful cooks on the guest list. Those friends and family brought a variety of favorite recipes. There were cards for Angel Biscuits and Cornbread, Impossible Pie and Lasagna, a Pork Chop Casserole, a Chicken Salad, Artichoke Dip and Spritz Cookies. Over the years the original album has been lost and the cards have migrated to other collections. The one I still use with some regularity is the recipe Aunt Betty brought for Spicy Oatmeal Cookies. It is neatly handwritten in her efficient cursive on a 4 x 5 inch note card. It does not cite a source.

In retrospect this recipe seems like an apt reflection of Aunt Betty’s personality. The cookies it makes are grounded with wholesome goodness. They are competent cookies and not overly fussy. The ingredients are practical and probably on hand in your pantry right now.

Aunt Betty's Spicy Oatmeal Cookies served on a tray with coffee. — Spicy Oatmeal Cookies with a few nuts and chocolate chips added to the batter.

The Old-Fashioned Charm of Ground Cloves

That said, Aunt Betty’s Spicy Oatmeal Cookies are not plain or lacking in charm. Dark brown sugar is added to the oats and flour to create a depth of warm flavor. Then a measure of cloves rounds out the sweetness of cinnamon and brings an intriguing flavor note to these cookies. I think it is the cloves that make this recipe special.

Cloves are an ingredient I have come to treasure. They add a warm lingering flavor to Spice Cookies, Mulled Cider and my favorite Gingerbread. I have discovered that ground cloves are the secret ingredient in a couple of my favorite main dish recipes, too.

Ground cloves turned out to be the key to replicating the unique flavor of Mama Jean’s Barbecue. It is also the ingredient that makes Kentucky Chili so special. In these old-fashioned favorites the cloves are especially unexpected because of the humble depression era origins of the recipes. Also because they were not recipes for sweet treats but rather for savory main dishes that stretched a pound of meat to feed a few extra mouths around the dinner table.

Bitter and Sweet

Overall, Aunt Betty’s Spicy Oatmeal Cookies are simple but still special. These cookies are a little old-fashioned but just a little bit different, homey but a bit indulgent, familiar with just a touch of surprise. They are easy to have on hand and to share. Taken as a whole this recipe is smart and thoughtful.

Most of all, these cookies go great with coffee. The spices lay down a lingering impression on the tongue to sweeten the bitter notes in the coffee Aunt Betty loved to share. They also taste great with cold milk in a wide glass that’s perfect for dipping.