A Valentine's Day Treat

Since the Valentine's Day holiday is quickly approaching, I thought I would share my favorite {healthier} cookie recipe with a red & white twist to them.

Valentine Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup softened butter

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup white whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon 

1/2 tsp salt

3 cups quick oats

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

I didn't want the cranberries and chips to be too chunky (I like food to have even proportions for each bite...I have issues) so I chopped them with my chopper before adding:

~Beat together butter and sugars until fluffy.

~Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.

~Combine next 5 ingredients and add to mixture, beating well.

~Stir in oats, then cranberries and chocolate chips. 

~Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. 

~Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 14 minutes. Makes 4 to 5 dozen. 

Making cookies is fun for the kiddos too!

Any cookies that will not be eaten in the next 2 or 3 days, be sure to put in a container in the freezer. Whenever you need fresh cookies, fill up your cookie jar with the frozen ones (sometimes this also helps you to avoid eating the entire batch of cookies in one day....sometimes). 

Don't have time to do dozens of individual cookies? Press the dough into a greased 13 x 9 baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes or until golden brown. Then cut into bars once it has cooled. 

{Happy Valentine's Day!}