Oatmeal cookies are the seems-healthy-but-are-not-really-healthy cookie. Sure, it’s got oatmeal, but that oatmeal is usually accompanied by a lot of butter and sugar. But these oatmeal cookies are different. These just might be the healthiest cookie I’ve ever made. They are chock full of the good stuff: bran, whole wheat flour, and even some flax.

In fact, these little cookies are almost too packed full of healthy ingredients that it seems wrong to call them cookies… but they look like a cookie. And they taste like a cookie… so a cookie it is!

Healthy Oatmeal Craisin Cookies
makes 24 cookies

1/3 cup wheat bran
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon flax seed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together wheat bran, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars together on medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Mix in flax, applesauce, and vanilla until combined. Mix in flour mixture, oats, and cranberries until combined.
4. Drop byrounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten with palm of your hand. Bake in preheated oven for 12 – 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely on baking sheets and store tightly covered.