12 Days of Cookies, Day 11: Fresh apple oatmeal cookies

• 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
• 1  1/2 cups raisins
• 1/2 cup rum
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 1/2 cups walnuts

1. Combine apples and raisins with rum and let sit for at least 2 hours. Overnight is best.

2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla and molasses.

3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, apple pie spice, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in oats, apples, raisins and walnuts. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

4. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 1 minute before removing to wire racks.

Nutritional analysis per cookie, based on 3 dozen: 189 calories, 9 grams fat, 23 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams protein, 26 milligrams cholesterol, 109 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber, 42 percent of calories from fat.

Karen Hamelwright, North Richland Hills