Watergate Cookies – Another Blast From The Past

Watergate.

For me, that word conjures up more than a political firestorm. We’re talking salad and cake and…cookies!

Back in the 1970’s Watergate dishes were all the rage. And our little boys never met a cookie they didn’t like. Take this photo, for instance.

I sure wish I knew what little Nick was thinking at the time. I see powdered sugar on his cheek, so I’m wondering if he dropped his cookie. LOL! Oh, the precious memories…

As I said, Watergate food items popped up all over back in those days, and this cookie recipe was tucked away in my recipe file ever since then. So yesterday I pulled all the ingredients together and whipped up a batch.

We rarely drink soda anymore, so I had to suit up in my hazmat gear to head to the grocery store to buy some. And I chose to “tweak” the original recipe by using coconut oil instead of  vegetable oil. (It was a delicious substitution.)

Watergate Cookies – The Method

The simple ingredients are to be combined in the order the recipe card was written. Straightforward. Easy Peasey.

First, dump a box of dry cake mix into a bowl. Then add a box of dry instant pistachio pudding mix, and stir to combine.

Next, add the oil. (I used coconut oil, but any type of vegetable oil will work.)

And remember that huge bottle of soda?? I only needed THREE TABLESPOONS! 

Two eggs are next on the list…

I used a rubber spatula to combine all the ingredients as I mixed them together. The dough is rather stiff.

Chopped pecans came next.

Meemaw’s Tip:

When chopping any type of nuts, always use a serrated knife to chop them. You won’t find yourself chasing those nuts all over your kitchen counter and floor!

Coconut is next on the agenda…

My vintage recipe card just says to drop by teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. It doesn’t say whether to leave them as balls or smash them down with a fork…so I did some of each. Your choice!

Balls?

Came out like this…

Smashed?

Like this!

But no matter HOW you bake them…they come out DELISH!!

I added a sprinkle of powdered sugar, just for fun. 

Yup. Those Watergate Cookies were the perfect dessert for our weekly Wine Wednesday “date night” in the living room.

Try them!!