Behind Bars For Sharing Snack Cakes?

Although the calories in Little Debbie cakes are high, is it really so wrong to enjoy them and by nature want to share? Apparently, according to an Ohio legal system it is at least worth the trial.

This story takes place in an Ohio jail, the place Timothy Caudill, 21, calls home. Caudill is an inmate held in a residential community corrections program who bought an oatmeal cream pie from a vending machine.

Of course, that’s not the bad part. The true crime occurred when Caudill decided to share his sweet snack with a fellow inmate, on restriction from snacks.

Now, the man who just wanted to share his Little Debbie Cakes is facing serious jail time.

According to leading sources, prosecutors have requested that Caudill’s probation be revoked and he is put into a prison for up to 9-months. Like many, his attorney considers this incredibly extreme.

It’s a snack cake, people. Yet, despite the oddity of it, it is still a crime. When it comes to punishment for this sweet crime—how far is too far?

Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

Another of my favorite oatmeal cookie recipes is a recipe that my mom gave me a long time ago.

She got this recipe from her friend, Judy. My mom and Judy attended nursing school together and Judy would often bring this yummy oatmeal cookie for lunch and the two friends would sit together, enjoying oatmeal cookies and studying for their next class.

Judy got the recipe from her mother, who called it The Pride of Iowa.

Now, I’ve never been to Iowa, but I do know a thing or two about cookies, especially when I am trying to decide if it is a cookie that I really like or not.

Well, having visited Iowa or not, I had no doubt that I really liked this cookie and ever since I first tried it I knew it was a cookie recipe that I would make over and over again. I also really like this recipe because it is so simple to make.

It is also an easy recipe if you are a beginning baker or even if you are a mom looking for a simple recipe to bake with your children. This is a perfect kid friendly recipe.

Every time I bake this oatmeal cookie, I think about my mom and her friend, Judy, studying for nursing school and enjoying this delicious cookie. I love recipes that mean something to me…like this one and the history about my mom and her friend…recipes that have a history seem like they just taste even better.

I hope that you love this oatmeal cookie as much as I do.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of brown sugar
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 1 cup of shortening
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups of flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 cups quick oats
• ½ cup pecan pieces

Directions:

1) Combine sugars and shortening. Cream well. Add eggs.

2) Sift the dry ingredients together and add to the creamed mixture.

3) Add vanilla and pecan pieces. Mix well.

4) Cover and chill several hours. Shape into round balls and flatten gently.

5) Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

6) Cool completely on wire racks. Enjoy!

Note: if you really like chocolate chips in your oatmeal cookies, then just add in a cup or so when you stir in the vanilla and pecan pieces.

I really love these cookies with some chocolate chips! If you heat them up in the microwave for a couple seconds, they’re just perfect with a glass of milk. Better yet, eat them once they come right out of the oven! Yummy!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

The first time I ever tasted my Grandma Mary’s Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and can actually remember it was when I was in the second grade. My grandma made a whole batch of these fabulous chewy cookies and brought them to our house one night when she came over for dinner.

Once I had the first bite, I couldn’t stop! Oh course my mom took the cookies away so I wouldn’t ruin my dinner…but I bet you can guess what I had for dessert! Yep, Grandma’s scrumptious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! I was in heaven.

Grandma told me she’d been making this recipe since she was in high school and there’s no doubt in my mind that she hasn’t changed a thing at all.

This cookie is so full of that warm oatmeal taste and packed with tons of chocolate chips. I love how soft and chewy this cookie is and I hardly ever wait till they even cool completely before I have a few with a big glass of milk.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup shortening
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ¾ cup sifted flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups quick oats
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper to make for an easy clean up.

2) In large bowl, beat shortening and sugars together. Mix until well creamed.

3) In small bowl, mix egg, water, vanilla and cinnamon, if desired, together. Add to creamed sugar mixture. Mix well. (My Pops is a huge fan of cinnamon and so I usually add it in for a little something extra!)

3) In medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and quick oats. Add to creamed sugar mixture. Mix well.

4) Stir in chocolate chips.

5) Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. Edges will be browner than center.

6) Remove from oven and cool completely on wire rack.

Something tells me that someday I will be making this very recipe for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies for my kids and I will definitely make sure that I tell them the story of Grandma Mary and the first time I tasted this delectable delight. You know it’s a great recipe if after all these years, my Grandma, who is an amazing cook, hasn’t changed one thing about the recipe. Just writing this makes me want to go a cook up a batch of these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies right now!