Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - Healthy, too!

Credit: Mariel Skinner

Ingredients:

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp butter, room temperature
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup plain, unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Beat in the egg, followed by the applesauce and vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture and oats until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Stir in the chocolate chips. Roll into balls. Bake for about 9-12 min. Cookies will be light brown at the edges when done. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Vanishing Oatmeal Date Cookies

Credit: "Jet" Watkins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup margarine, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 cups oats (either quick or old fashioned)
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• Powdered sugar
  

Directions:

Heat oven to 350. Beat together margarine and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Add combined flour, soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well. Stir in oats, dates, and nuts. Mix well. Drop by rounded tablespoon, roll in powdered sugar, and place on un-greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes, give or take-- until golden brown. Cool 1 minute. Remove to wire rack. Makes about 4 dozen.