Healthier Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I wanted to make some cookies that I wouldn't feel as guilty about making, so I looked around at several recipes and this is what I came up with. They are surprisingly great! I don't even think that Ross will know that they are packed with good-for-you ingredients! And of course, I had to snap some pictures of my cute little satisfied customer.

You need:

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup applesauce
  
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1 cup raisins, dried cranberries or other dried fruit
• 1 cup chopped nuts, optional
  

Make it:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the applesauce, egg, then stir in the vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and wheat germ; gradually stir into the creamed mixture.
4. Drop by rounded spoonfuls, a couple of inches apart, onto cookie sheet(s).
5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.