Oatmeal Spice Drop Cookies

Perfect for the lovely fall weather and just right for any gathering, these candy-covered cookies are conversation pieces. I took three batches to a recent church fellowship and they were devoured! If possible, bake them right before it's time to eat them so they're served warm.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup coarsely chopped spice drops

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl.

3. In another larger bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Fold in the oats and gumdrops.

4. Drop large spoonfuls of dough onto baking sheets, leaving space between each. (The dough will SPREAD as it bakes.) Add 2-3 small pieces of spice drop to the top of each dough ball.

5. Bake until golden around the edges, about 15 minutes. The tops will still be soft and shiny. Let stand on the baking sheets briefly, then transfer to wire racks.