Cookie Recipes

Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

This favorite cookie recipe gets a new taste with dried cherries.

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, optional
• 2 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
• 1 1/2 cups dried tart cherries
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Put butter, brown sugar and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed, 3 to 4 minutes or until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt, if desired; add to egg mixture. Stir in oats, cherries and chocolate chips; mix well.
3. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack to cool completely. Store in a tightly covered container.
   Makes 48 cookies.

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Dried Fruit

• 1 cup puréed pitted prunes
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 3 large egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 2 baking sheets; set aside.
2. In a large bowl of an electric mixer at medium speed, beat prunes, sugar, brown sugar, egg whites and vanilla; blend thoroughly.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Stir dry ingredients into prune mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheet; flatten slightly.
5. Bake about 10 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
   Makes 24 cookies.