SANDRA’S WHITE CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY OATMEAL COOKIES

The indulgent white chocolate

nicely enhances the sweet-tart cranberries

and crunchy oatmeal...

I was feeling creative today, and this new cookie recipe rocks! I’ll be sending these delectable treats along with my husband and a few other family members while they head out on an Alaskan road trip over the next several days.

Yields: (3.5 to 4 doz.)

Prep: 15 Mins.

Bake: 12 to 14 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

1 (11 oz. pkg.) white chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli)

1 cup dried cranberries

1-1/4 cups quick-cooking oats

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper (you can reuse while baking additional batches).

Beat butter on medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugars, beating well. Add eggs and vanilla extract, beating until blended.

Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, then beat just until blended (do not over beat or cookies will become tough). Using a spoon, fold in white chocolate chips, cranberries, and oats until incorporated.

Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet 2" apart.

Bake cookies 12 to 14 minutes, until light golden brown around edges. Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes, and transfer to wire rack to cool completely. ~ Enjoy!

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Tip: I did a test by placing a batch of cookies on a cold baking sheet  into a hot oven vs a hot baking sheet  into a hot oven (as most do when they pull a previous batch out) and the difference was amazing.  Cookies baked on the cold baking sheet into a hot oven produced perfect results with lighter, thicker and uniform cookies, although the hot baking sheet into a hot oven produced flatter, unappealing spread out cookies that were way too crisp to my surprise.

SANDRA’S ELEGANT APPLE-CRANBERRY BRAIDED PASTY

A light and flaky pastry that’s

easier to make than apple pie,

and it tastes 

incredibly delicious...

Servings: 8

Prep: 15 Mins.

Bake: 20 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Pastry:

1 frozen sheet of puff pastry, thawed

Filling:

2 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

½ cup whole frozen cranberries

2 cups of finely cubed Fuji apples, peeled, cored

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Egg Wash:

1 large egg

½ tablespoon milk

Cream Cheese Icing:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 tablespoons cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

About 1 tablespoon milk (depending upon your desired consistency)

Topping:

2 tablespoons toasted almonds slices

METHOD:

Thaw a frozen puff pastry covered in parchment paper on the counter for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, add all the filling ingredients; stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium heat; reduce to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes while occasionally stirring. Let filling cool completely.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Set a baking sheet aside.

Whisk egg and milk in a small bowl, and set aside.

Toast the sliced almonds over medium heat, just until golden and fragrant for a couple of minutes, transfer to a ramekin, and set aside.

On a work surface lined with parchment paper, lightly dusted it with flour, carefully unfold the puff pastry. With a rolling pin, roll out the pastry to form a 12”x9” rectangle on top of parchment paper.  Add the filling down the center, leaving 1” of space at short ends.  Using a pastry cutter, gently cut slits along the long sides of the outer thirds of the pastry 1” apart, leaving ½” uncut closest to filling.  Beginning with the short end farthest from you, we’ll form the braid: Fold the half-inch edge of dough on the left over the filling. Then fold the first strip on the right over the filling at a 45-degree angle. 

Fold the first strip on the left over the filling at a 45-degree angle overlapping the first strip. Continue folding strips of dough from alternate sides (left, than right) to form a braided pattern. 

When you get to the end, fold the edge of the dough over the filling, tucking it under the braided strips. Lift the parchment paper with the prepared pastry onto the baking sheet.  Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the egg mixture completely over the braided pastry. 

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, for about 20 minutes.

In the meantime, prepare the icing using a hand mixer to cream butter and cream cheese together in a small bowl until smooth. Add sifted confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Beat on slow until mixed, then on high until smooth.

Let pastry cool for 30 minutes before drizzling with cream cheese icing, and sprinkling with toasted almond slices.  Slice into 8 pieces, and serve. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA’S NO-FUSS APPLE-CRANBERRY CRISP and CANDIED PECAN TOPPING

I had apples on-hand and a

yellow cake mix in the pantry

so I threw together this quick dessert

in a matter of minutes.

It's absolutely terrific...

Servings: (10 to 12)

Prep: 15 Mins.

Bake: 40 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Bottom Filling:

5 red apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

½ cup whole frozen cranberries

1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, cut into 9 pieces

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Crisp:

1 (18.25 oz. pkg.) super moist yellow cake mix

¼ cup dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Topping:

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup chopped candied pecans (Always in my freezer)

Optional:

--French vanilla ice cream

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish. Place apples and cranberries in bottom of dish, dot with 1 tablespoon of cold butter pieces, and drizzle with vanilla extract and lemon juice.

 In a large bowl, combine cake mix, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, melted butter, and mix with a fork until crumbly, about the size of peas. 

Sprinkle mixture evenly over apples.

 Mix topping ingredients in a small bowl. 

Sprinkle topping ingredients evenly on top.

 Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes.

Serve warm and topped with French vanilla ice cream. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA’S CRAZY-DELICIOUS GRILLED CHICKEN CRANBERRY SALAD

This recipe was derived from

ingredients I had on-hand today,

and I must say, “This is one impeccable salad!”

Servings: (4)

Prep: 10 Mins.

Grill: 5 Mins. (In batches)

INGREDIENTS

Creamy Honey Poppy Seed Dressing: (Yields 1 cup – Prep 5 Mins.)

2 tablespoons champagne vinegar

2 teaspoons poppy seeds

¾ cup mayonnaise

Pinch of fine-grain sea salt

Salad:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut crosswise into ½” thick slices

6 cups of a combination of both romaine and iceberg lettuce

½ cup goat cheese crumbles

½ cup dried cranberries (craisins)

1/3 cup toasted pine nuts

METHOD

Preheat indoor cast iron grill or skillet to medium-high heat.

Whisk all dressing ingredients in a small bowl, and set aside ¼-cup of dressing separately to baste grilled chicken.

Creamy Fireweed Honey and Poppy Seed Dressing

Spray hot grill, and cook chicken slices in separate batches so as not to overcrowd, by grilling the first side without disturbing (to form proper grill marks) for 3 minutes while brushing tops of chicken with the ¼-cup of dressing.

Flip chicken pieces over and continue grilling the other side for 2 minutes.  

When each batch has finished grilling, remove chicken slices to the plate, and then continue on.  

Toss any of the remaining ¼-cup of dressing used to baste the chicken.

When all chicken slices have finished grilling, divide lettuce among 4 plates. Top each serving with grilled chicken slices, goat cheese crumbles, dried cranberries, and toasted pine nuts.  Lightly drizzle your desired amount of the reserved ¾-cup of dressing over all four salads, then serve. ~ Enjoy!

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Tips:  Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over low heat, just until light golden brown and slightly fragrant.  Also, feel free to store any leftover dressing in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

SANDRA’S APPLE-CRANBERRY-ORANGE LATTICE TART

A decadently elegant dessert

that I often make ~ it’s also great

substituting pears for apples,

and other dried fruit for the cranberries...

Servings: (8)

Prep: 20 Mins.

Bake: 45 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Sour cream tart crust:

2 cups all-purpose flower

½ cup sour cream

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temp.

1/3 cup granulated sugar

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons cold water

Filling:

4 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into small slices

¼ cup craisins (dehydrated cranberries), chopped

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest

4 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon cold butter cut into 16 small squares

Topping:

1 tablespoon milk

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Garnish:

Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

METHOD

 

Preheat oven to 375.  Place a pizza pan in oven to heat.

Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat the dough ingredients, except the water, until small crumbs form.  Add the water and continue to mix until dough starts to pull together.  Knead together using hands to form a ball.  Reserve 1/3 of dough, and wrap in plastic and set aside.

Roll out the remaining dough on a lightly floured surface into a 13” circle.  Place into an 11” tart pan with a removable bottom; trim sides.  Roll out the other 1/3 of dough on a lightly floured surface into an 11.5” circle and cut into 1” strips.

In a medium bowl, combine all the filling ingredients, and spoon into prepared tart shell, then dot with cold butter squares.

Weave the lattice strips as shown in photo on top of tart, and trim sides.  Brush lattice strips with milk.  Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle over lattice strips.

Place the tart pan on top of the hot pizza pan in oven, and bake tart for 45 minutes until light golden brown.  Cool 15 minutes on rack.  Remove sides and bottom of tart pan, and slide onto serving tart pedestal.  To serve, cut into triangles, and plate, then dust lightly with confectioners’ sugar. ~ Enjoy.

SANDRA’S CRANBANANA APPLE POWER SMOOTHIE

This power smoothie is delicious
and it's guaranteed to start your day off right...

Yields: 2-1/2 cups

Prep: 5 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup fresh or frozen organic cranberries

1 *banana, sliced (I use frozen)

1 unpeeled apple, cored and sliced

1 generous handful fresh organic baby spinach

1 stalk of organic celery

1 tablespoon honey

¼ teaspoon organic ground cinnamon

1 organic vanilla bean, split and seeds removed

1 tablespoon wheat germ

½ cup filtered water

-- 1 straw

METHOD

Add all ingredients to blender, and puree for 1-1/2 minutes, until smooth.  Serve, and enjoy!

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*Tip: I freeze peeled, ripe bananas that I've cut into quarters in Ziploc bags. I use them often for frozen treats such as this, or for baking in recipes later on once thawed.

SANDRA’S WHOLE CRANBERRY N’ FRESH ORANGE BREAD

I make this bread year round,
not just during the holidays
because it’s so delicious,
and I always have
frozen cranberries on-hand...

Servings: 10 to 12

Prep: 20 Mins.

Bake: 1 hr. -15 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

1 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup dark brown sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon fine-grain kosher salt

1 large egg

1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest

¾ cup freshly-squeezed orange juice (It turned out to be 2 medium oranges that I squeezed for juice; and 1/2 an orange zested)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 vanilla bean, split, and scraped to remove seeds

2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

-- Cream Cheese, at room temperature (For spreading later on warm bread slices).

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a loaf pan, and set aside.  Take cream cheese out of refrigerator, and set aside to come to room temperature while loaf is baking.

Ready for the oven...

In a large bowl, beat egg, and add orange zest and juice, melted butter, and vanilla bean seeds.  Sift flour through a sieve into the large bowl, and add the remaining dry ingredients to wet ingredients, and stir just until moistened; batter will be rather thick.  Gently fold in cranberries. Spoon batter into prepared loaf pan.

Hot n' fresh out of the oven...

Bake for 1 hr. and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in loaf pan for 15 minutes before removing and placing on a wire rack.

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Tip:  This bread is fantastic when toasted, then spread with cream cheese as well.  Also, you are free to make muffins rather than a loaf, simply adjust your baking time accordingly.

SANDRA’S FESTIVE CRAN-CHILI COCKTAIL MEATBALLS

A wonderful spicy, sweet,
and moist appetizer...

Yields: 36

Prep: 15 Mins. |
Bake: 20 Mins. |
Simmer: 30 Mins.

Posted by Sandra






INGREDIENTS

***Meatballs:

1 pound lean venison burger 

--(or your preference of ground meat)

1 egg, slightly beaten

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), or regular

1 garlic clove, minced

3 tablespoons onion, finely minced

½ teaspoon dry mustard

½ teaspoon celery seeds

kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

***Sauce:

1 (8 oz. can) jellied cranberry sauce

3/4 cup prepared chili sauce 

--(or, for recipe click here: Sandra's Homemade Chili Sauce)

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons lime juice

½ teaspoon chili powder

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking pan with tin foil, spray with oil, and set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, egg, milk, panko, minced garlic, minced onion, dry mustard, celery seeds, and kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Roll into 1” balls (I do so using a small scoop to ensure the meatballs are uniform in size).

Par-bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, turning once half way through.

Meanwhile, in a slow cooker (or large saucepan) over medium heat, blend the jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, and chili powder.  Bring sauce to simmer while whisking, and reduce to heat to low.

Add meatballs, and use a pastry brush to coat with sauce. Simmer, covered, on low for 30 minutes, while occasionally brushing meatballs with sauce.  Serve skewered with toothpicks. – Enjoy!

SANDRA'S CRANBERRY-PINEAPPLE CHUTNEY

This chutney is most excellent served 
with ham, turkey, pork, or chicken, 
including as a sandwich spread...

Yields: (3 cups)
Prep: 15 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS:

½ (12 oz bag) of frozen, whole cranberries
½ cup water
½ cup dark brown sugar
pinch of kosher salt
1 hand-full of raisins
1 (8 oz. can) crushed pineapple, drained
2 tablespoons prepared ‘hot’ horseradish, or more if you like it spicier

METHOD

Combine frozen cranberries, water, dark brown sugar, kosher salt, and raisins in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low to gently simmer for 10 minutes. Add the drained crushed pineapple, and horseradish; folding to combine, and simmer for 1 minute more. Taste for spiciness, adding more horseradish, if desired.

Serve hot with your choice of ham or poultry, or chill for 1 hour in refrigerator to serve cold, if desired. – Enjoy!

SANDRA’S FRESHLY-SHAVED PEAR and ARUGULA SALAD

A very refreshing and scrumptious salad...

Servings: (2)
Prep: 10 Mins. |
Stand: 5 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Salad:
2 cups arugula, roughly torn
1 fresh pear, cored, cut into quarters, and shaved with a peeler (or thinly sliced)
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
1 tablespoon light olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons honey

***Toppings:
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste

METHOD

In a medium bowl, whisk the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice and honey until emulsified. Add the arugula, shaved pear, and dried cranberries; gently tossing to combine. Let stand 5 minutes for flavors to meld.

Place the pine nuts into a small dry skillet over medium heat, and toast until fragrant and lightly browned, for about 3 minutes.

Arrange salad evenly amongst 2 serving plates, and top equally with toasted pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and then sprinkle each with desired amount of kosher salt, and ground pepper.

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Tip:  I always have a variety of nuts in my freezer to have on hand, and freezing them keeps them from spoiling because they contain a lot of oils.

SANDRA'S TURKEY DINNER IN ONE HOUR

I was craving a turkey dinner (for lunch), 

so I whipped this up meal with ingredients 

I had on-hand today, and it was scrumptious...

Servings: (4)
Prep: 30 Mins. |
Cook/Bake: 30 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Turkey:
1 (1.5 lb.) fully-cooked, extra lean ¼-hickory-smoked turkey breast, cut into ½” thick slices
sprinkling of poultry seasoning

***Deviled Eggs:
4 eggs
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
pinch of garlic powder, and onion powder
¼ teaspoon lemon juice
kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste
--garnish: paprika, and freshly chopped parsley

***Dressing:
1 (6 oz. bag) seasoned dressing cubes
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup onion, finely chopped
½ cup celery, finely chopped
¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
1-1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (more if you like moister dressing)
--garnish: freshly chopped parsley

***Smashed Potatoes:
2 large russet potatoes, peeled, and cut into ½” cubes for faster boiling
¼ cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sour cream
½ teaspoon garlic powder
kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste

***Gravy:
1 (10.75 oz. can) cream of mushroom soup (save can to measure broth & milk)
1/3 can low-sodium chicken broth
1/3 can milk
¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
pinch of ground garlic powder, ground onion powder, and ground pepper
¼ teaspoon worcestershire sauce

***Sweet Potatoes:
1 (9.3 oz. can) cut sweet potatoes, drained, reserving ½ the liquid
½ tablespoon brown sugar
¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
¼ cup miniature marshmallows

***Cranberry Sauce:
1 (14.oz. can) cranberry sauce (whole berries, or jellied)

METHOD

Begin by boiling the eggs in a small saucepan, covered, for 15 minutes. When done, let cold water run over them in the saucepan placed in the sink so they cool quickly.

While eggs are cooking, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions, and celery, and poultry seasoning, and saute until onions are translucent. Add the chicken broth and bring to boil, and let simmer for 3 minutes. Stir in the bread cubes in with a fork and combine until moistened. Spray a small baking dish with butter spray, add the dressing, and sprinkle with parsley. Cover with tin foil, and set aside.

When the eggs are cooled, peel and cut them in half lengthwise and pop out the yolks into a small bowl. Smash the yolks with a fork, then add mayonnaise, relish, garlic and onion powders, lemon juice, kosher salt, and ground pepper to taste; mixing to combine. With a teaspoon, fill each of the egg white halves equally. Place on a small plate, and sprinkle with paprika and parsley, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Place the cranberry sauce in a decorative dish, and cover with plastic wrap, and then place in refrigerator to cool.

Place the sweet potatoes and half of the sauce into a small baking dish, and add the remaining ingredients in order listed, and set aside (uncovered).

Place the smoked turkey breast slices in a 9”x9” baking dish, and sprinkle with poultry seasoning, cover with a glass lid (or tin foil), and place in oven. Also, place the uncovered sweet potatoes, and the covered stuffing in as well. Bake all for 30 minutes (I like to baste the turkey in it’s own juices about ½ way through the baking process).

Place the potato cubes in a medium saucepan, cover the potatoes with water, and add a ½ teaspoon kosher salt and a drizzle of oil, and bring to boil. Tilt the lid so it is ajar to prevent them from boiling over, and cook for 20 minutes, until tender. Drain, and add remaining ingredients, and smash to your desired consistency.

Meanwhile, prepare the gravy by adding all the ingredients into a small saucepan, whisk to combine until smooth. Cover, and bring to a slight boil, and reduce the heat to warm, just until potatoes and the remaining dishes are done.

Serve family style, and don’t forget your deviled eggs and cranberry sauce in the refrigerator. - Enjoy!


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Tip: A fruit salad, rolls, whole olives, and pumpkin pie for dessert would be nice side dishes as well ;-)

SANDRA'S GLAZED HAM with SMASHED POTATOES 'n CARROTS

A very delectable and classic no-fail roasted ham 
with Smashed Potatoes 'n Carrots...

Servings: (12)
Prep: 10 Mins.
Roast Ham: 2 Hrs.
Let Ham Stand: 20 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

---Roasting Ham:
· 6 to 8 pounds fully-cooked boneless ham
· ¼ cup honey
· ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
· ½ teaspoon ground mustard

---Smashed Potatoes 'N Carrots
2 pounds peeled potatoes, cut into 1-1/2” cubes
2 pounds carrots, cut into 1" pieces
1-1/2 to 2 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter, at room temp
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

---For a delicious accompanying sauce
(click here for: Sandra's Cranberry-Pineapple Chutney)

METHOD

--Roasting Ham:
Place ham fat side up on rack in a shallow roasting pan. Score top and sides in a diagonal fashion to make diamond shapes on outer skin.  Roast, covered, for 2 hours.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix honey, mustard and ground cloves.  Remove ham from oven and brush with glaze, and continue roasting ‘uncovered’ 20 minutes longer.

Remove from oven, re-cover, and let stand about 10 minutes for juices to redistribute.

--Smashed Potatoes 'N Carrots:
[Begin making 40 minutes before Ham is scheduled to be served.]

Meanwhile, in a large pot, add potatoes and carrots with ½ teaspoon salt.  Cover vegetables about an inch over the top with water. Place a lid on pot and heat just to boiling, and then reduce to gently boil. Continue cooking 20 to 25 minutes until tender; drain thoroughly. Return drained potatoes and carrots to pot. Mash potatoes together with carrots until no lumps remain (or do so in separate bowls to fashion swirls, see above photo, splitting milk,butter, and salt and freshly ground pepper in each respective bowl). Blend in milk in small amounts to desired consistency. Add 3 tablespoons butter, and salt and ground pepper to taste. Mash a bit more until potatoes and carrots are light and fluffy (please don’t over do it or they will have a slimy in texture). - Serve with sliced ham and your other chosen side dishes. ~ Enjoy!

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Tip:  Serve with your favorite sides, desserts, and so on... ~ Find many other options under the HOME tab, click on Special Occasions, and then scroll down to Easter or another special occasion.

SANDRA'S CRANBERRY OATMEAL COOKIES

Lusciously addicting cookies...

Yields: (5 doz.)
Prep Time: 15 Mins. |
10 to 12 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

· 1 cup unsalted butter, at room. temp.
· 1 cup granulated sugar
· 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
· 3/4 cup vegetable oil
· 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
· 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
· 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
· 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon baking soda
· ½ teaspoon baking powder
· 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (For my homemade spice blend, click here: Sandra's Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend)
· 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
· 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking)
· 1 cup craisins, chopped finer
· 1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut, chopped finer

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Set two cookie sheets lined with parchment paper aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars until fluffy, slowly add vegetable oil and beat until well incorporated and more fluffy (important). Add the applesauce, beaten eggs, and vanilla, and then beat just to combine.

With a sieve, sift over the bowl of wet ingredients the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices. Stir with a spoon just until mixed through. Add the oatmeal, craisins, and coconut; folding just to combine.

Spoon batter using a teaspoon (or a small scoop) onto a parchment –lined cookie sheet spaced 1" apart.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven and let stand a couple of minutes on cookie sheet prior to removing so they stay intact. Place another batch on the second parchment-lined baking sheet (you can do this while the prior batch is baking), and continue doing so until batter is gone.


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TIP: Try not to "overwork" the batter after adding dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, as doing so will result in tough cookies.