Not Your Mothers Oatmeal Cookies

Molly Grue's Note:

It all started with your basic hand me down oatmeal cookie recipe and I wanted something special I'd been working to create the perfect oatmeal cookie recipe for several months when I hit on this combination of ingredients. (I get away with thinking of them as a healthy snack with the Whole wheat flour, applesause and raisins.) Everyone who has ever eaten one is instantly addicted and they have been requested more times than I can count by friends and family. They are a huge hit at Bake sales as well.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 3 Dozen

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup applesauce or 1/2 cup butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon dark molasses
• 1 cup flour (I use a mixture whole wheat and white)
• 3 cups of uncooked old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup Bits 'o brickle baking chips

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350 deg.
2. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper (do not use foil or greased cookie sheet as these will stick).
3. Combine your flour, baking soda and oatmeal in a separate bowl and set aside.
4. In a large bowl place your butter and applesauce give it a bit of a mix.
5. Next add your sugar, salt, vanilla eggs and molasses and stir together with a spoon till well combined.
6. Add in the Flour mixture and mix by hand till it appears creamy.
7. fold in the raisins, heath bits and the chocolate chips till they are worked throughout the dough.
8. Using an ice cream scoop or a large spoon drop cookies onto the parchment covered baking sheet. Flatten the tops just a bit to make cooking even (they spread but not a lot).
9. Bake at 350 deg for approx 15 -20 minutes, Actually I've never timed this I just watch the cookies and when they no longer have a 'gooey' look to the centers I remove them.
10. Gently remove them while still warm from the cookie sheet with a spatula, the cookies will firm up as they sit but need a gentle handling when warm.