Giant Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

From Taste of Home

• Ready In: 22 mins
• Yields: 12 cookies

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine, softened
• 3⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 2  eggs
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1⁄2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 1⁄3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2  teaspoons apple pie spice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups dried cherries, chopped
• 1⁄2-1  teaspoon orange zest

Directions

1. In large mixing bowl, cream shortening, butter and sugars.
2. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
3. Combine the oats, flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. Gradually add to the creamed mixture.
5. Stir in cherries and orange peel.
6. Drop by 1/3 cupfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet.
7. Press to form a 4" circle.
8. Bake at 375 for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Let stand for 1 minute before removing to wire racks to cool.