It's beginning to smell alot like Christmas...

As Christmas creeps up on us all, some a little more quickly then others,we are reminded about everything that Christmas entails. Lights, trees, crazy packed malls, but most of all and my personal favourite, FOOD!

It seems the baking bug hits me the most during this winter time holiday. As the kids gear down for vacation from school, I as a parent feel that I should show some small sense of gratitude towards the teachers and caregivers that watch over my little one everyday.

I thought this year that I would try something homemade as opposed to the usual gift card or candle. This way the kid(s) can help and feel proud they made something for someone who gives so much of themselves everyday.

I adapted this recipe from Epicurious, I omitted the almond extract simply because I didn't have any, took out the nuts, and soaked some dried cranberries in Frangelico.

I also increased the brown sugar quotient to 3/4 c. to make a chewier cookie.

These are fab and they fill your house with a warm oatmeal meets fruity, chocolate smell.

Enjoy!

Recipe:

1 c all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 c sugar
3/4 c (packed) dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 c old-fashioned oats
1 c semisweet chocolate chips
1 c white chocolate chips
1 c dried cranberries or dried cherries

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Sift Flour, baking soda and salt together in a bowl.
Cream butter and sugar together, add egg and vanilla.
Add flour mixture to butter and mix.
Stir in oatmeal, chocolate chips and dried fruit.
Place 8 rounded tablespoons of dough on a prepared cookie sheet or 2 cookie sheets.
Bake 15 minuted for 1 sheet or 12 minutes for 2 sheets and then rotate and bake another 4-6 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack.