Orange Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie

If you notice I used the same oatmeal cookie recipe as the Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie I made earlier. Feel free to change the mix ins. Try combos like cherry pecan or white chocolate macadamia nut.

Orange Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup unsalted butter, at softened

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2.5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup (6 oz bag) dried cranberries

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

3 tablespoons orange juice

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and both sugars until creamy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, then the vanilla, beating well after each addition. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in the oats and cranberries.

Drop dough 2 inches apart onto the cookie sheet. Bake until golden around the edges, about 15 minutes. Let sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack to cool.  

Mix orange zest, juice and sugar together. Drizzle over cookies.

Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup unsalted butter, at softened

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2.5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups (12 oz bag) dark chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and both sugars until creamy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, then the vanilla, beating well after each addition. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in the oats and chocolate chips.

Drop dough 2 inches apart onto the cookie sheet. Bake until golden around the edges, about 15 minutes. Let sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack to cool.

Apple Oatmeal Pancakes with Cinnamon Pecan Syrup

Apple Oatmeal Pancakes with Cinnamon Pecan Syrup

Ingredients 
½ cup quick cooking oats
½ cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup milk or buttermilk (Use what you want. I used skim milk because I’m on a diet.)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I used Smart Balance oil)
1 egg
2 apples
cinnamon pecan syrup (see below)

Directions
Place oats into flood processor and pulse until smooth. Add flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Pulse until blended. Add milk, vanilla, oil and egg and blend. Grate apples and stir into batter. Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium heat. Pour batter onto the griddle and brown both sides*. Top with syrup.

Cinnamon Pecan Syrup

Ingredients**
1 teaspoon butter
¼ cup pecans
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup syrup

Directions
Melt butter in a small sauce pan. Add pecans and cook over low heat for 1-2 minutes. Add cinnamon and stir to coat pecans. Add syrup and remove from heat.

* Be sure to stir the batter before each pour. The apples tend to sink to the bottom.
** These amounts are for my personal preference. Play around with it till your happy.