This is my very favorite, never-fails, cookie recipe. It was given to me by my friend John Lister, author of Rio the Rat.

Ingredients (for 2 dozen)

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup quick oats
• 1 cup Total cereal
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 2 tbsp. melted butter

Procedure

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix shortening, sugars, egg and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until slightly brown. In my oven, using an air pan, it takes 14 minutes to cook a batch.