FRUITY CHOCOLATE COOKIES

This is a great healthy snack that we love  with coffee or tea and another way to take care of that chocolate craving!  Budget-friendly tip:  If you don't want to buy buttermilk to bake with, make sour milk by putting 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar in a measuring cup and adding milk to make one cup.

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup whole oats

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup low fat buttermilk or fat free sour milk

2 tablespoons canola oil

1/4 cup honey or agave nectar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 ounces dark chocolate, broken into small pieces (see note below) or 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

1/3 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries

1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (opt.)

In a mixing bowl, combine first 5 ingredients.  In another bowl, combine milk, oil, honey or agave, and vanilla extract.  Add to dry ingredients and stir together until combined.  Stir in chocolate pieces, dried fruit, and nuts.  Drop by rounded teaspoon on lightly oiled baking sheets.  Bake at 425 degrees 7-8 minutes, or until slightly firm to the touch.  Makes about 3 dozen.

Note:  To break dark chocolate into pieces, place it in a small zipper bag and pound with a meat tenderizer mallet or a hammer.