BOILED CHOCOLATE OATMEAL DROP COOKIES

Makes 3 dozen

8 Tablespoons butter (margarine or liquid fat free butter substitute)
2 cups sugar
3 heaping Tablespoons cocoa or 2 squares chocolate
1/2 cup milk (skim milk can be substituted)
3 cups dry oatmeal
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pecan pieces (optional)

Spray a pan with non stick cooking spray. Melt butter slowly. Add sugar, cocoa and milk. Stir occasionally while the mixture comes to a boil. Once the mixture comes to a boil, stir and boil the mixture for 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla extract and stir mixture. Quickly add the oatmeal (and nuts if using) and stir. (If using the butter substitute, increase dry oatmeal to 3-1/2 cups to help thicken the mixture.) Drop by spoon onto greased cookie sheet or waxed paper and allow to cool uncovered. Refrigerate cookies after 5 minutes.