Cranberry-Oatmeal Cookies

February is "Heart Healthy Month"!  And Oatmeal is a heart healthy food.  Oatmeal cookies are a long time favorite of kids and adults alike.  But, when they are filled with fats, they're not so heart healthy.  I have taken the ordinary oatmeal cookie and remade it more heart friendly, without losing the flavor.  This recipe will make 3 1/2 dozen good size cookies and you can make them in about 1 hour, (start to finish).
First preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  I like to line my cookie sheets with parchment paper, but it's not necessary, (this just helps with cleanup).

You will need:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 teas cinnamon
1/4 teas nutmeg
1/4 teas ginger
2 ripe bananas
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.  Whisk together.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.  (I like to use a fork to break apart and mash up my brown sugar and get all the lumps out).

Beat the banana and sugars together for about 30 seconds on medium speed.

 Add the vanilla and eggs.  Beat just until combined.

Add in 1/3 of the flour mixture and beat on low speed until combined.  Add in another 1/3 of flour mixture, and continue until combine, then add in final flour mixture and beat until all flour mixture is combined.

 Stir in the oats.

Stir in the dried cranberries.

NOTE:  if you want to add nuts at this point they will give your cookies an extra protein boost and taste yummy.  Try pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons unto NON greased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.

Bake for 11 minutes, until cookies edges are golden.

 Let cool on wire rack for a couple of minutes.

 Once you can handle the cookies, remove from the cookie sheet and let the cookies cool on a wire rack.

OK - now for the "quality control check".  YUP - YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY !!  A nice soft cookie with good texture.

And of course you have to have a glass of ice cold milk with your cookies.

Give these a try, and you won't feel guilty about treating your family to an old fashion "good for you treat".

Enjoy.

Don't forget to check out the peanut butter- oatmeal cookies.