It Worked!
 

A while back I asked about recipes for oatmeal cookies where they would be soft.

A couple of people suggested baking them just a bit less than what the time says. I reduced the time by just one minute yesterday, and they came out great. Just want to say thanks.

Yay!!!! Now don't eat too many now that they're so good .Save some for Jim :D lol

yay! love soft oatmeal cookies...I'll be right over! BTW, I add just a little black pepper to mine about 1/4 tsp. Really makes a difference!

I have a recipe for a German Christmas cookie that actually calls for 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

Black pepper in oatmeal cookies???????

At 72 years old, I am finally able to make cookies soft and the two things that have helped me are: take them out of the oven as soon as the shine is gone and add a tablespoon or two of milk.

DH just made two different batches of OM cookies and the one I like best is the first as it was a bit crunchy....but his second batch had cloves and nutmeg, which had a better taste so he's going to just add the cloves and nutmeg to the second batch next time....but that 'addes pepper' intrigues me. I think I'll have to talk him into it.

Cookies with black pepper--Pfeffernusse or Peppernuts in English--are a Christmas tradition in my family. Mine are very spicy crunchy cookies about the size of a quarter or smaller. As well as pepper, my recipe calls for cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger. My sister likes to use the recipe from her DH's mother, which calls for the addition of finely chopped candied fruit. There are multiple variations of this cookie.

My mother used to have a little book with about 48 recipes for Pfeffernusse. Wish I still had it. So many choices.

I was skeptical about the pepper until I ate them! :) I do use the cinnamon, cloves and allspice too, but the pepper really makes the difference.