Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

This recipe was printed in my local paper, The Virginian-Pilot, on September 30, 2009. This recipe won 1st place at the Virginia State Fair (in the oatmeal cookies category.) It was submitted by Jan Tucker, of Virginia Beach. ** Note: Cookies have no cholesterol or saturated fat except for the nuts.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 40
• Yields: 40 cookies

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup canola oil
• 1  cup brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 3  egg whites
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1  cup oatmeal
• 1 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  cup wheat germ
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3⁄4 cup  chopped  dried apricot
• 1⁄2 cup dried sweetened cranberries
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Blend first five ingredients.
3. In a separate bowl, mix next 7 ingredients (dry ingredients).
4. Stir a spoonful of flour mixture into fruit and nuts to separate fruit.
5. Add dry ingredients to oil mixture, then stir in fruit and nuts.
6. Drop 1 1/2 tablespoons onto parchment-paper-covered baking sheet.
7. Flatten slightly.
8. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.
9. Cool slightly on pan and then transfer to rack to cool completely before storing.