Soft Oatmeal Raisin Delights

Kids Recipe Challenge winning recipe – 3rd place!
Category: After school snacks, grades 1-3

Azrik, from Azilda, “loves that they are packed with good things like oats, raisins and nuts and they are a nice treat before after school play.”

Here is a healthy alternative to the traditional chocolate chip cookie and they taste great!

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Serves: 4-5 dozen

If you don’t have cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves you can substitute 1 ½ tsp (7 mL) of pumpkin pie spice. If you don’t want to use nutmeg and cloves increase the cinnamon to 1 ½ tsp (7 mL).
If you don’t have molasses simply increase the brown sugar to ½ cup (125 mL).

Ingredients
Unbleached all purpose flour	1 cup (250 mL)
Baking powder	1½ tsp (7 mL)
Ground cinnamon	1 tsp (5 mL)
Baking soda	½ tsp (2 mL)
Freshly ground nutmeg	½ tsp (2 mL)
Ground cloves	1/4 tsp (1 mL)
Butter, softened	½ cup (125 mL)
Packed light brown sugar	1/3 cup (75 mL)
Large egg	1
Fancy molasses	2 Tbsp (25 mL)
Unsweetened applesauce	1 1/3 cup (325 mL)
Large flake or quick cooking oats	1 3/4 cup (425 mL)
Raisins	1 cup (250 mL)
Toasted sliced almonds (optional)	3/4 cup (175 mL)
Vanilla	1 ½ tsp (7 mL)

Directions

In bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and cloves; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
Beat in egg and molasses until combined.
Alternate adding the flour mixture and applesauce into the butter mixture (add 3 parts flour and then 2 parts applesauce).
Stir in oats, raisins, almonds, if using and vanilla.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop batter by tablespoonfuls (15 mL) onto baking sheet.
Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch.