Yet, another version of the Oatmeal Cookie!

I'm always up to trying new and improved ways of making oatmeal cookies. This one caught my eye because of the fresh essence offered by the orange zest and the inclusion of the bits of dried apricot. The fact that they come out crunchy was only an added bonus. The bran flakes give an extra fiber boost and an interesting taste. I never pass on a chance to sneak something good into a treat.

Again, with the Oatmeal Cookie!

1 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest

1 egg

1 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal

1/2 cup flaked coconut

1 cup bran flake cereal

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup finely diced dried apricots

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together the butter, sugars and zest. This gives the oils from the zest a chance to blend into the butter. Beat in the egg, oil, vanilla extract, baking soda, and flour until just mixed. Add in the rest of the ingredients and combine.

Drop walnut-sized balls of dough on cookie sheets.  Bake for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, depending on size you make the cookies.

Although using vegetable spray to grease the sheets is fine, consider using parchment paper. It helped bake the cookies more evenly and clean up is very easy. The cookies just slide off.