Makes 28

Sometimes, only sometimes, breakfast is on the run. I feel a little better throwing two of these in my kid’s knapsacks or my husband’s briefcase. Filled with oat bran, almonds, and grape nuts cereal they are packed with fiber and some protein. Yes they have sugar and margarine too, thus I call them cookies not granola or health bars but they taste good and get a few wholesome ingredients thrown in.

2 cups old-fashioned oats
1-¼ cups whole wheat or white whole-wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup Grape Nuts cereal
½ cup wheat germ
½ cup oat bran
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup unsalted margarine or butter, room temperature or 1 cup canola oil
2 eggs
1 cup packed light brown sugar
½ cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped pitted dates or other dried fruit

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix oats, both flours, grape nuts, wheat germ, oat bran and baking soda in a large bowl to blend.

Using an electric mixer, beat margarine until creamy. Add eggs, both sugars and vanilla, and beat until smooth. Add cereal/flour mixture, and stir just until blended. Mix in almonds, raisins, and dates or dried fruit.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat mats. Using ¼ cup measuring cup, scoop dough onto prepared pan, spacing about 2 inches apart. Press cookies to about ½ inch thick rounds.

Bake for about 15 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes on sheets before transferring to cooling rack.