Frogs

The wedding is over, the honeymooners off and everything is about back to normal. I've wanted to make this recipe for awhile, but between my sister's wedding preparations and not having enough of one ingredient or another; i've not gotten around to them. When i was out getting groceries on the weekend, i made sure i bought what i needed, and so here they are. 

When i was a kid, my Mom made frogs a lot. They are quick and easy and take only a few ingredients.  Macaroons of any sort are my favorite, i love coconut. Why chocolate macaroons are called frogs, i do not know, but i have never heard them called anything different. This recipe is the same one my Mom used, i believe it is from the old Purity Flour cook book; bought in the '70s when my parents were first married. 

Frogs

1+1/2 cups white sugar.

1/2 cup milk.

1/2 cup shortening.

1 tsp vanilla.

3 Tbsp cocoa.

3 cups oatmeal.

1 cup coconut.

In large saucepan over medium heat, melt together first three ingredients. Remove from heat and whisk in cocoa and vanilla. Add coconut and oatmeal, mix well. Drop by teaspoonful onto trays. refrigerate until firm. 

To change it up a bit, you could add about 3/4 cup of walnuts. Once when i was low on oatmeal, but had lots of coconut, i used 2 cups of each instead of three and one. It makes for slightly chewier cookies.

I remember once when i was a young teenager, we were visiting my cousins; my older cousin was making frogs with her (then) boyfriend. He thought they ought not to be called cookies, because you don't really cook them. He said they should be called Sitties, since they sit. I have a hard time not thinking of that day whenever i make this recipe.

What i love about frogs is since they are not baked, you can mash as many as possible onto the pan without worry of expansion. I managed to get 49 out of the recipe, on three cookie sheets. It is best to line the cookie sheets, for easy removal. My Mom sometimes used plates to let them set, they usually do not need lining.

With all the rain we have been getting lately (i has been pretty much nonstop since Friday), it is the perfect time to make some frogs. Might be a good idea to have some on hand in case we float away. :-) The only good thing about the rain, is that has warmed up and it is taking away all the snow, yay! Spring is coming!