Modified from the recipe on the Quaker Oats box, back in the olden days when there were recipes on the boxes. I save my Quaker Oats boxes for baby toys. They hold a lot of Lincoln logs and make a satisfying noise when shaken.
¾ cup butter (1 ½ sticks, softened at room temperature or for 15 seconds in the microwave)
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup sugar
1 egg
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups old-fashioned oats, uncooked
1 cup flour (I use whole wheat flour—use 1 extra tablespoon of flour)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup pecans (optional)
1 cup dried cherries or raisins (optional)
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat together shortening or butter, sugars, egg, water, and vanilla until creamy. Add combined flour, salt, and baking soda; mix well. Add nuts, dried fruit, and/or chocolate chips if you want them. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.