My mom added flax seeds to add some fiber. One time we didn't have enough oatmeal so she added Cheerios. Good and chewy.

I made two batches. The first one did not set. It was good but never got past a soft fudge stage. The second batch I boiled for five minutes and added an extra cup of oats. They are perfect now!!!

Try adding Chinese noodles. Great and crunchy!!

For a little something different...replace the peanut butter with Nutella. DELICIOUS!

This is an old recipe but when I was little I thought my mom made it up herself. I too saw the recipe in my English reader in elementary school. I am 57 and have always loved these cookies. In fact I found this thread because I wanted to make some today and couldnt remember for sure what all went in them. I do remember my mom using white karo syrup in them. Now I want to put coconut and raisons in some. Adding mint extract sounds good too. Enjoy! !!

I add a cup of raisins and a cup of coconut. They are really moist and delicious.

I first made these in Idaho in the fourth grade. We called them Raggedy Robins. I love all the hints. I have trouble with them firming up. Thanks everyone.

For you chili heads throw in ground hot peppers. I just made them and almost gone.

So good and very easy. It was my first time chocolate oatmeal cookies and they came out perfect. I will defiantly make them again.

Great recipe...my Grammie used to make it for me. I think it is better without the peanut butter (just made it with PB today to use up the last of my jar but I normally make it without....wish I had left it out, but still good). Also, I ALWAYS add raisins (1/2 cup) and usually coconut, if I have it (1/2 c). Just a note to those wishing to make this healthy....Are you aware there is a STICK of butter in there??? Adding extra oatmeal is a nice thought, but don't fool yourself into thinking this is healthy!!! Just make really small cookies, keep in freezer, and have one as a treat every now and again.

Have made this for years, but always, always, always boil mixture for at least 2 minutes...I think that is the secret to them - they always turn out perfectly if I make sure the mixture boils for 2 minutes - then add the peanut butter and vanilla and oats. YUM!

My cookies never hardened properly - I even boiled for 2 full minutes!!! Ate them out of a bowl with a spoon! A truly decadent, rich flavor came out of my experiment with using chocolate milk in place of white! First bite was ecstacy!!

For the oats, if using rolled oats, put in the food processor a few seconds, not too long or you will have oat bran flour.

These are very good. I add chinese noodles when I add the peanut butter. Yummy!

So in the recipe my mom has it calls for a half stick of butter but on here it is different, im wondering if that makes a difference.