My best friend is getting married!  I am the Matron of Honor.  Why does Matron sound so much older than Maid?  I guess I fit into that category now since I’m married and have a baby.

Anyway – I am a little bit of a sugar addict but since I need to fit into this dress in August I need to start baking healthier things.

So here is a recipe I just tried and will be making over and over to satisfy my sweet tooth.  I just made 48 of these to bring some to playgroup on Fri.  Try them – you won’t even be able to tell they’re “healthy.”

My changes in red:

Oatmeal Cookies with Cranberries & Chocolate Chips (Adapted from this book)

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup whole grain pastry flour (I used whole wheat flour)
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup canola oil (I used natural applesauce)
3 large egg whites
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup cranberries, coarsely chopped (I used raisins)
2 1/4 cups chopped walnuts
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I used mini ones so they would incorporate better)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, cinnamon, and salt.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, oil, eggs whites, and vanilla until smooth.  Fold in cranberries, walnuts and chocolate chips.  Gradually fold in flour mixture and stir until well blended.

3. Drop batter by tablespoons onto large baking sheets coated with nonstick cooking spray.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until cookies are browned. (I baked mine for closer to 15 since I wanted them crispier).

4. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Even though I used applesauce instead of oil and a 2 less eggs when doubling the recipe, my cookies still stuck together fairly well.  In the future I will be pressing these into large baking pans to make bars instead.