Whole Wheat Trail Mix Cookies

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ginger
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp almond extract (optional)
• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup dried raisins
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ½ cup slivered almonds

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Using a wooden spoon, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a large bowl. Set aside.
3. With an electric mixer on medium speed, mix together the butter (or oil) and sugars. Add the eggs and vanilla (and almond extract if using). Mix until combined.
4. Add the flour mixture gradually. Mix until combined.
5. Add the oats, dried fruit, and nuts. Mix by hand using a wooden spoon.
6. Place dough by tablespoons onto cookie sheets, about an inch apart. (For quicker clean up, line the cookie sheets with foil).
7. Bake for 15-18 minutes.

Notes:

Experiment with different dried fruits and nuts to lend different textures and flavors.

The vegetable oil can be replaced with 1 cup butter or coconut oil.

Nutritional benefits:

Whole grain flour & oats: fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, folate

Dried fruit: potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, B vitamins

Nuts: fiber, unsaturated fat, magnesium, vitamin E, copper, phosphorus, zinc, B vitamins