Peanut Butter-Oatmeal Cookies

My husband loves oatmeal cookies, he also loves peanut butter cookies.  What could be better than putting the two together and making a Peanut Butter-Oatmeal Cookie?  These are really the best of two cookies in one!  This recipe makes 3 dozen good size cookies. And by substituting 1/2 of the margarine with applesauce, I am reducing the fat.
First preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  I like to line my baking sheets with parchment paper, (to help with clean up), but it's not necessary.

You will need:
2 cups quick cooking oats
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, (slightly beaten)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a medium bowl combine the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Stir the ingredients to mix everything, then set aside.

In a large bowl add the margarine, applesauce, and peanut butter.  Beat on medium speed until smooth.

Add in the brown sugar and granulated sugar.  Beat until blended into the peanut butter mixture.

Add in the eggs, beat until blended in. It is now becoming very smooth and creamy.

Add in the vanilla, beat until blended in.

Add in 1/3 of the flour/oat mixture and beat just until incorporated, add another 1/3 of the flour/oat mixture and continue beating until incorporated, and then add the remaining 1/3 flour/oat mixture and beat until just incorporated into the peanut butter mixture.

The mixture will be a wonderful peanut butter color.  Now stir in the chocolate chips.  (You can also substitute dried cranberries or nuts.)

Drop by heaping tablespoons until baking sheet, (if you are not using parchment paper, do NOT grease the baking sheet).   Bake for 12 - 13 minutes until the cookies are set and golden.

The cookies look delicious and smell wonderful.  Set the cookie sheet on a wire rack for 5 minutes to cool, then transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.

And now you have 3 dozen wonderful cookies to share.

And what goes better with a couple of cookies, a glass of cold milk.

ENJOY !!