Healthy Living, Healthy Eating

[Laura Januszewski]

In an attempt not to steal Sally's e-mail writing thunder, and hopefully revive the Beyond Running Community pages, I will be blogging my weekly recipe ideas. Hopefully, this will not only boost your cooking confidence, but also create an open invitation for recipe sharing. Share your favorite recipes, ask questions, give useful insight....anything.

Here is my recipe for this week. Continuing with the sweet treat theme of Halloween, here is a healthier sweet tooth alternative.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup flour (spoon flour into dry-measure cup and level off)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup dark raisins (or dried cranberries)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and set the rack on the lower and upper thirds of the oven.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Mix in the brown sugar, then the egg, applesauce, and vanilla.

4. Stir in the dry ingredients, then the oats and raisins.

5. Drop the batter by rounded teaspoons 2-inches apart on the baking sheets and use a fork to gently flatten the dough.

6. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they "look dull on the surface but are moist and soft", according to Nick. Rotate baking sheets during baking for even heating.

I also added chocolate chips (1/2 cup or so), crushed walnuts (1/2 cup), and a couple tablespoons of flaxseed. Feel free to add/subtract any of the above.

Let me know what you think!