Cereal Cookies

When my children were growing up, I often had to hide the 'good stuff' in items I knew they would eat. I almost always made the cookies they enjoyed and it gave me plenty of hiding places! One of my favorite ways was incorporating vitamin-enriched or high-fiber cereals in the cookies. They enjoyed the crunch and I relished the secret!

Cereal Cookies
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 cup solid shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
2 cups shredded coconut
2 cups of your favorite unsweetened breakfast cereal
1/4 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Either vegetable oil spray baking sheets or line them with parchment paper.

Stir together the first four ingredients.

In a mixing bowl, cream the shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing in well. Stir in the rest of the ingredients.

Drop by teaspoonfuls about 1 1/2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake in preheated oven for approximately minutes or until lightly brown. Let set on baking sheets for a minute before moving them to finish cooling on racks.

Ideas . . .
Yes, you can reduce the dried fruit and add some chocolate chips.
Two teaspoons of freshly-grated citrus zest sparks up the taste.
Dip half the cookie in melted chocolate chips and let set on waxed paper.
Drizzle with a lemon glaze.