Wheels of Steel Cookies

A tasty way to get a lot of fiber. A nurse friend gave us this recipe when one of our children was having problems keeping everything 'moving along.' They are nicknamed "Roto-Rooter Cookies," and for good reason! I quickly learned to limit dh and the other kids to a few cookies apiece. That was hard, though, because they really are yummy little creations, kind of a super-powered oatmeal cookie. It's also a very forgiving recipe...if you are missing some of the fruit, seeds, etc, just adjust other amounts around to your taste/pantry items. I've made it with and without the final step of rolling in sesame seeds; both ways work, though the toasted sesame taste is nice. When dd was really having trouble, I also substitued prune juice for the liquid milk. You may add up to 1-2 c of mixed fruit, seeds, etc as the last ingredients, but don't have to; may need to adjust liquid a bit depending upon what you choose. Basic recipe makes a lot; I've never had any trouble halving it.

• Ready In: 42 mins
• Yields: 96 cookies

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter or 1  cup margarine
• 1  cup peanut butter
• 2  cups brown sugar
• 2  eggs
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1⁄2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1⁄2 cup wheat germ
• 1  cup non-fat powdered milk
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 6  tablespoons  liquid milk
• 2  cups rolled oats
• 2  cups raisins
• 1⁄2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1  cup  shredded coconut
• 1  cup  chopped dates
• 1 -2  cup sesame seeds or 1 -2  cup dried figs or 1 -2  cup  dried apricots or 1 -2  cup flax seeds or 1 -2  cup ground flax seeds or 1 -2  cup  nuts or 1 -2  cup  chopped prunes or 1 -2  cup  oat bran or 1 -2  cup carob chips (total combined amount etc) (optional)
• 1⁄2-1  cup sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

1. Cream together butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
2. Combine flour, wheat germ, dry milk, salt, baking powder, and baking soda; stir together lightly.
3. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture; stir.
4. Add together liquid milk, oats, raisins, sunflower seeds, coconut, and chopped dates; mix well.
5. If desired, combine optional ingredients equal to 1-2 cups and add to oat& seed mixture; mix well.
6. Depending upon what you add, you may want to increase the liquid a bit to make sure everything holds together.
7. Add oat& seed mixture to flour/creamed mixture combo; mix well.
8. Roll dough into 1-2" balls; yield will vary by size of cookies.
9. Press rolled dough into a pattie shape and press into sesame seeds, if desired.
10. Bake on greased cookie sheet for approx 12 min at 375F.
11. Watch closely to avoid scorching, especially if rolled in seeds.
12. Store in airtight container.