California Apple-Raisin Cookies

[cappuccino]

2 California Granny Smith apples, cored and minced 2

1/2 cup raisins 125 mL

1/2 cup chopped dates 125 mL

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 375 mL

1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds 125 mL

1/2 tsp baking powder 2 mL

1/2 tsp baking soda 2mL

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 mL

1/2 tsp ground cloves 2 mL

1/2 tsp salt 2 mL

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 250 mL

1/2 cup vegetable shortening 125 mL

1 cup quick cooking oatmeal 250 mL

2 large eggs 2

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F.

2. Lightly grease baking sheet; set aside.

3. Stir together flour, sunflower seeds, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt; set aside.

4. In a large bowl, beat brown sugar with shortening until creamy. Beat in eggs until well blended. Stir in flour mixture, then oatmeal, California apples, raisins and dates.

5. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to racks to cool. Makes 48 cookies.

Visit www.calapple.org and www.tasteus.com.

Credit: www.newscanada.com