Festive Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Fruits and Nuts
Elevate your holiday baking with these delightful Festive Oatmeal Cookies! Made with wholesome whole wheat flour and enriched with the perfect balance of sweet dried fruits and crunchy nuts, each cookie boasts a crispy exterior while maintaining a chewy, satisfying center. The use of vegetable or canola oil instead of butter lends a lighter texture, making them a guilt-free treat. The addition of maple or vanilla extract provides a warm richness, enhancing the overall flavor. Perfect for sharing on your holiday baking tray, these cookies can also be baked in a pan and sliced into bars for easy serving. Indulge in the joy of festive flavors with every bite!
N/A
Servings
80
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil or canola oil
3/4 cup (Choose either vegetable or canola oil.)
large eggs
3 (Beat lightly before adding to the mixture.)
white sugar
1 cup (Pack lightly before measuring.)
brown sugar
1 cup (Pack firmly before measuring.)
maple extract or vanilla extract
1 tablespoon (Use as per taste.)
whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups (Sift before measuring for lightness.)
baking soda
1 teaspoon (Measure accurately.)
cinnamon (optional)
1/2 teaspoon (Use fresh for best flavor.)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (Use a fine grind for even distribution.)
rolled oats
1 1/2 cups (Use old-fashioned oats for texture.)
coconut
1/2 cup (Use shredded or flaked coconut.)
dried cherries
1 cup (Chop if they are large.)
dried cranberries
1/2 cup (Chop if they are large.)
slivered almonds or chopped almonds
1/2 cup (Toast lightly for added flavor if desired.)
mini chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup (Use semi-sweet or dark chocolate as preferred.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare large cookie sheets by greasing them gently.
2
In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the vegetable or canola oil with the eggs, both the white and brown sugars, and your choice of maple or vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer set to medium speed, beat the mixture until well combined and slightly fluffy.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Gradually incorporate this dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined — be careful not to overmix.
4
In another bowl, combine the rolled oats, shredded coconut, dried cherries, dried cranberries, slivered almonds, and mini chocolate chips (if using). Gently fold this mixture into the batter until everything is evenly distributed.
5
Scoop out about 1-inch portions of dough and roll them into balls, placing them onto the prepared baking sheets with some space in between, as they will spread slightly during baking.
6
Using a fork, gently flatten each cookie ball slightly to ensure even baking.
7
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and fragrant. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
8
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the delightful contrast of textures and flavors!
Nutrition Information
3.3g
Fat
10.7g
Carbs
1.3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Fruits and Nuts?
These are wholesome whole wheat cookies enriched with dried fruits, nuts, and rolled oats, featuring a crispy exterior and a chewy center.
How many calories are in one cookie?
Each cookie contains approximately 80 calories.
What type of flour is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour.
Can I use butter instead of oil?
The recipe specifies vegetable or canola oil for a lighter texture, but butter is a common substitute in similar baking.
How many eggs are needed?
You will need 3 large eggs, which should be lightly beaten.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for approximately 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
Is there a vegan option for these cookies?
Yes, the recipe can be adapted for a vegan diet by substituting the eggs and using vegan-friendly chocolate chips.
What dried fruits are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1 cup of dried cherries and 1/2 cup of dried cranberries.
Can these cookies be baked as bars?
Yes, the dough can be baked in a pan and sliced into bars for easy serving.
What kind of oats should be used?
Use 1 1/2 cups of rolled oats, preferably old-fashioned oats for the best texture.
Are there nuts in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/2 cup of slivered or chopped almonds.
Are the chocolate chips mandatory?
No, the mini chocolate chips are an optional addition.
How much sugar is required?
The recipe uses 1 cup of white sugar and 1 cup of firmly packed brown sugar.
How should I prepare the dried cherries?
If the dried cherries are large, they should be chopped before being added to the batter.
What provides the warm richness in the flavor profile?
The addition of 1 tablespoon of maple or vanilla extract provides a warm richness.
Do I need to grease the cookie sheets?
Yes, the instructions recommend greasing the large cookie sheets gently before use.
What extract options can I use?
You can use either maple extract or vanilla extract depending on your preference.
What is the fat content per cookie?
Each cookie contains 3.3g of fat.
How much protein is in one cookie?
Each cookie provides 1.3g of protein.
Is cinnamon a required ingredient?
Cinnamon is optional; 1/2 teaspoon can be added for extra flavor.
How many carbohydrates are in each cookie?
Each cookie contains 10.7g of carbohydrates.
How should the dough be shaped?
Scoop 1-inch portions of dough and roll them into balls.
Why should I use a fork to flatten the dough balls?
Flattening them slightly with a fork ensures even baking.
How long should the cookies cool on the sheet?
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
What type of coconut is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of shredded or flaked coconut.
Should the almonds be toasted?
Toasting the slivered almonds lightly is optional but adds extra flavor.
How many total ingredients are used?
There are 15 ingredients listed in the complete recipe.
How much baking soda is used in the dough?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
What is the texture of these cookies?
They have a crispy exterior and a chewy, satisfying center.