Healthy Oatmeal Cookies (with chocolate chips and dried fruit)

First off, lets be clear: a cookie is a cookie. However, as far as ingredients go, these are healthier than many other options. These oatmeal cookies are made with whole wheat flour, oats, and dried fruit which not only taste great, but also add fiber. These cookies would also be hearty enough to do well with additions like flaxseed.

Ingredients:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter (or substitute to make vegan)
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 & 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated whole nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups oats (slow cook, not instant)
A 12 oz bag of chocolate chips (any kind you like. I used milk chocolate.)
1 cup dried fruit of your choice (if you want apricots or another larger fruit be sure to chop it into small pieces first.)

Makes 48 cookies

Recipe:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy

3. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well
4. Add combined flour, backing soda, spices, and salt; mix well

6. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet

8. Let sit 1 minute on the cookie sheet; remove to wire rack
The cookies are really loose when you first take them off the sheet. Do not worry, you cooked them long enough. As they cool they bind together better and will no longer fall apart if you even look at them funny.

If you only want a few cookies, this recipe freezes really well. Just scoop out the dough into tablespoon size pieces before placing in a freezer safe container. I recommend layering the dough and using a piece of parchment or wax paper to keep them from sticking. The dough is also tasty straight out of the freezer : )