12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies - Cranberry Oatmeal Bars

I found this recipe while perusing the Cooking Light site and just had to make it.  It isn't a cookie but it is Christmas-y.  I am trying to stock my freezer but these didn't make it past dessert.  everyone loved them and I need to make these again and will need to double or triple the recipe.

Ingredients
adapted from Cooking Light

Crust:
4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons orange juice
Cooking spray

Filling:
1 1/3 cups dried cranberries (about 6 ounces)
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar (I used Splenda)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
 
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325°.

2. To prepare crust, weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through cinnamon) in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Drizzle butter and juice over flour mixture, stirring until moistened (mixture will be crumbly). Reserve 1/2 cup oat mixture. Press remaining oat mixture into the bottom of an 11 x 7–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

3. To prepare filling, combine cranberries, sour cream, granulated sugar, and remaining ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring well. Spread cranberry mixture over prepared crust; sprinkle reserved oat mixture evenly over filling. Bake at 325° for 40 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

Week 2 Twelve Weeks of Christmas:

12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies - Spicy Oatmeal Crisps

I chose this recipe first because I thought that the spices would make the house smell like Christmas. The house didn't quite get a Christmasy aroma but these cookies do taste like Christmas! I had a hard time getting the cookies to crisp up but that didn't take away from the taste.

Ingredients
adapted from Cooking Light

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon grated whole nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (optional)
1 cup packed brown sugar
5 tablespoons butter or stick margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 cup regular oats
Cooking sprayDirections
Preheat oven to 350°.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 7 ingredients (flour through pepper) in a medium bowl. Beat sugar, butter, and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg; beat well. Stir in flour mixture and oats.
Drop by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray, these spread a lot so leave lots of space. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until crisp. Cool on pan 2 to 3 minutes or until firm. Remove cookies from pan; cool on wire racks.

Week 1 Twelve Weeks of Christmast:

Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies

I must apologize for my hiatus, there is no reason for it except I haven't been motivated to cook much and when I do my camera is no where to be found.

I woke up from my nap today craving warm and fresh cookies.  I wanted something healthy and fairly low in calories.  And I found these.  I adapted the recipe a tad because Mike had me buy a bunch of soy flour and then changed his mind.  They did satisfy the craving but they could have been sweeter...I might add some chocolate chips next time.  The girls seemed to like them too.

Ingredients

1/4 c. butter/margarine, softened
1/2 c. applesauce
1/4 c. honey
1/3 c. brown sugar (packed)
1 egg
1/2 c. peanut butter
splash of vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup of flour
1/4 cup of soy flour
2-3 cups of oats - start with two and then add more to get the texture you want
 
Directions
 
Preheat oven to 375 F.  Mix together the sugar, honey, applesauce and butter until fairly smooth.  Add the peanut butter, egg and vanilla.  Then in a seperate bowl mix flour, soy flour and baking soda.  Slowly add to the mix.  Then add two cups of oats and add more depending on the the texture you want.  Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.  Makes 24 cookies.
 
Nutrition per serving - 103.5 calories, 4g fat, 1.9g fibre and 2.7 g of protein