Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Step 2

Blend oatmeal: Measure and process in a blender to a coarse powder.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, mix together flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and baking soda

Step 4

In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars, on medium-high speed, until well light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well blended, scraping down sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 5

Add flour mixture; mix just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips, grated chocolate, and nuts, if using. (Optional: cover dough and chill 30 minutes - add a minute or two to the cook time if using chilled dough.)

Step 6

Roll into balls and place two inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. (Take the cookies out of the oven 1 or 2 minutes before the cookies are cooked, as they will continue to cook on the baking pans.).

Step 7

Let cookies cool for 2 minutes on baking sheet before transferring cookies to racks to cool completely.