Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

If ever you wanted a versatile marginally healthy delicious cookie, this is your winner, hands down.  These cookies have been a favorite since I adapted a recipe years ago, adding flax and oats and just recently chopped almonds.  Once you make the dough you can add your favourites- from chocolate to raisins to dried cranberries- anything you can dream up.  This past week I used a bar of chocolate that I had chopped up as I didn't have any chips and almonds which I had also chopped up.  They were divine- truly.  And don't even get me started about putting coconut milk ice cream between two of them...  

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Combine in a medium bowl:

2 cups flour

2 cups oatmeal

1/4 cup ground flax seed

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

In a large bowl, blend until smooth:

1 cup butter at room temperature

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

when smooth add: 

2 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla

mix well.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients 1/3 at a time.  Blend until mixed and add:

3/4 cup chocolate chips (adjust to your family's liking)

1/2 cup chopped almonds

1/2 cup chopped dried cherries

I use a batter scoop (which is like a small ice cream scoop) to scoop dough onto cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes - depending on your oven.  I like to take them out while they still look slightly undercooked - but only a bit.  They tend to be softer that way.