Fruity Oatmeal Cookies

Source: GRIT's Guide to Backyard Bees and Honey 2011
By Mildred Hollibaugh

For a taste that steps outside your normal oatmeal cookie box, add some fruit and honey with this healthy oatmeal cookies recipe. This healthy oatmeal cookies recipe not only incorporates fruit and fruit juice, but also uses honey to cut down on sugar.

Ingredients

• 1 cup raisins or dates

• 1⁄4 cup orange or pineapple juice

• 1 cup honey

• 1⁄3 cup brown sugar

• 1⁄2 cup cooking oil

• 1⁄2 cup peanut butter

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 1 teaspoon vanilla or orange flavoring

• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• 2 1⁄2 cups flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder

• 2 cups finely chopped oatmeal  

Directions

• Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease baking sheet; set aside.

• In microwave-safe bowl, combine raisins and juice. Microwave for 30 seconds. Cool, then run through food processor or chop fine.

• In large bowl, combine honey, brown sugar, oil, peanut butter, eggs, raisin mixture, vanilla and salt; mix well. Add flour, baking soda and baking powder; mix well. Add oatmeal. (To chop fine, use food processor.) Mix well. Dough should be stiff, so add a little additional flour if needed.

• Drop dough by walnut-size balls onto prepared baking sheet. Press down slightly with fork. Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and flip over with spatula; let stand on hot baking sheet for a few minutes before serving. Yields about 60 cookies.