CRISPY OATMEAL COOKIES WITH DRIED CHERRIES

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups rolled oats

¾ cup unsalted butter (6 ounces)

¾ cup brown sugar

½ cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste

2 cups whole wheat or white flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon ground allspice

¼ teaspoon ground coriander

1-1/2 cups dried cherries

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spread the oats on a sheet cake pan and toast for 15 minutes stirring several times to expose both sides of the flakes.  Remove and let cool.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder and seasonings.  Set aside.
• Beat butter with sugars until fluffy.  Work in the eggs, one at a time, and then the vanilla.  Stir in the dry ingredients ½ cup at a time.  When the batter is well blended, fold in the oats and cherries.
• Butter or line the sheet pan with parchment or Silpat non-stick liner.   Scoop out generous tablespoons of dough and flatten them gently with a fork on the sheet.  Bake for 15 minutes, until lightly browned.

Yield: 5 dozen 2” cookies; 3 dozen 3-1/2” cookies